Integrated development of speaking skills of Chinese students beginning to learn Russian as a foreign language

The article deals with the problem of teaching Chinese students to speak Russian as a foreign language and reveals the need for an integrated development of speaking skills among Chinese students beginning to study it. With the development and deepening of China - Russian relations, cooperation between the two countries in the field of education is expanding: a number of joint educational programs are being carried out and bilateral exchanges are increasing. In recent years, the number of Chinese students studying Russian has been constantly growing. However, a contradiction between the currently increasing need to study Russian and the insufficient level of language training of students is evident. Practice shows that many Chinese students lag behind in mastering the Russian language speaking skills, which creates obstacles for their future studies and life in Russia, limiting student opportunities to participate in vocational education. After analyzing the goals and needs of Chinese students in learning the Russian language, their national characteristics, as well as the specifics of the Russian language itself and teaching foreign language speaking at the initial stage, we develop theoretical and practical aspects of the integrated mastering of the students` foreign language speaking skills, of language knowledge (phonetic, lexical, and grammar) and related speech sub-skills. Keywords: Chinese-Russian educational programs, Chinese students, Russian as a foreign language, the initial stage, integrated development of speaking skills.