The first Russian grammar books of the English language: content, presentation of grammar material, methods

The article analyzes a particular group of books - the first manuals of English dated from the XVIII -early XIXth century, written and published in Russia. A consecutive analysis of these grammar books reveals their structural and subject unity in the beginning and gradual structural changes in the XIXth century. The problem of interpretation of the term «grammar» is considered in diachronic aspect. The authors analyze the methods of grammar material's presentation and grammar terms of the first manuals. Special attention is paid to the changes of approaches to teaching foreign languages. Finally, the authors draw conclusions concerning the restriction of the term «grammar» in contemporary understanding and changes in the material's presentation.