Research of the model of teaching Chinese as a foreign language at humanities universities in Russia

Strengthening relations between Russia and China, a large number of Russian students wishing to study Chinese, as well as difficulties in learning the ancient oriental language necessitate a detailed study of the model of teaching Chinese at Russian universities. The history of teaching Chinese in Russia encounters more than 150 years. All these years, Russian and Chinese specialists have been looking for the opportunities to build an effective teaching model and minimize learning difficulties. The purpose of the article is to determine the most effective model of teaching Chinese as a foreign language for Russian students based on the study of teaching methods used in various universities. Teaching Chinese to Russian students is accompanied by a number of difficulties associated with significant differences in the language structure, culture and history of the country. A properly formed teaching model makes it possible to overcome these difficulties and ensure effective training of Russian students in the Chinese language. The author analysed 3 practical models of teaching Chinese as a foreign language and came to the conclusion that the mixed teaching model is the most effective one. The model combines standard methods of studying grammar, phonetics, vocabulary, with interactive and distance methods. This combination of methods enables to increase the activity and motivation of students, and provides students’ deep immersion in the history and culture of the eastern country.