The current quantitative and qualitative status of teaching Russian as a foreign language and education in Russian in Southern African countries

Abstract

The foreign policy guidelines of modern Russia are undergoing changes, and the «African vector» is playing an increasingly important role in strengthening Russia in the global space, according to I.O. Abramova and L.L. Fituni. Currently, Russia considers the countries of the African continent «as an original and influential center of global development», giving priority to «assistance and development of ties in the humanitarian field, including scientific cooperation, training of national personnel, strengthening health systems, providing other assistance, promoting intercultural dialogue, protecting traditional spiritual and moral values, human rights, the right to freedom of religion» (The concept of the Foreign Policy of the Russian Federation). The intensification of cultural and educational cooperation leads to the building of human potential, and therefore the emphasis is on financing projects aimed at the development of education, science, art and culture. At the current stage of the development of international relations, cooperation with African countries requires a revision of previous instruments and platforms for cooperation, as well as the generation of new relevant approaches. In the context of the task of strengthening the importance of Russia in the global humanitarian space, strengthening the position of the Russian language in the world and, in particular, in Africa, this article presents a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the representation of the Russian language as a foreign language and education based on it in African countries. Russian language teaching and Promotion in Southern Africa (South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana) In 2023-2024, the creative team of Perm State Humanitarian and Pedagogical University turned to both documentary and scientific sources containing information on the representation of the Russian language in the framework of the state assignment of the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation «Organizational conditions and methodological support for teaching the Russian language and promoting Russian culture in the countries of Southern Africa (South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana)». the Russian language in the specified African countries. The results of the work done are contained in this article. The presentation of the material in the article is presented for each of the countries. Structurally, the information is divided into two parts, which show both the historical context of the functioning of the Russian language in a particular state and its modern representation. Russian Russian language theory, which is the basis of the description, allows us to present the problem of the existence of the Russian language in the designated African countries in dynamics, and also helps to find additional grounds and arguments for building work on the dissemination of the Russian language in the countries of Southern Africa.