Foreign language teaching in Russian education of the XVIII – first half of the XIX centuries: French and English

Abstract

The article examines the specifics of foreign language education in Russia in the XVIII – first half of the XIX centuries. The factors contributing to the popularization of French and English in a given period of time are considered, which predetermined the need to study the socio-cultural context, and allowed us to identify the relevant historical prerequisites for the spread of French and English in Russia in the XVIII – first half of the XIX centuries. The degree of popularization of the French and English languages in the specified period is determined. Through a comparative analysis, the importance of the French and English languages in domestic education is studied, followed by a determination of the position and importance in the study of foreign languages in relation to each other. The analysis of approaches to teaching French and English in Russian education in the XVIII – first half of the XIX centuries was carried out, the levels of foreign language education were identified and some domestic educational institutions were identified, the program of which included teaching French and English. Foreign language learning is considered both in the system of institutionalized education and in the home environment. The basics of teaching foreign languages in public and private domestic educational institutions during the period under review, as well as specific methods of foreign language teaching implemented at different levels of foreign language teaching, are analyzed. The important features of teaching French and English in Russian educational institutions are revealed. The article analyzes individual teaching tools that have demonstrated their effectiveness in foreign language teaching in practice. The differences in the approaches of teaching French and English are highlighted.