Развитие навыков аудирования у иностранных студентов в условиях неязыкового вуза

Abstract

The article deals with the problem of developing comprehension skills when learning Russian as a foreign language. Listening comprehension is a type of linguistic activity; therefore, successful solution of this problem enhances the effectiveness of learning. As is known, this issue has been of interest to language scholars for a long time. Some of them claim that foreign language acquisition and speaking skill development take place mainly through listening comprehension identified as most problematic. The article highlights some basic language difficulties of listening comprehension that international students of non-language technical institutions face on the beginner stage of studying Russian. The peculiarities of listening comprehension as one of the types of linguistic activity are considered. Its influence on the development of communication skills of students is shown, since it is this kind of activity that teaches students to listen carefully to the language heard and forms students’ abilities to predict meaningful content of the text and thus, fosters a listening culture not only in foreign, but also in their native tongue. Listening comprehension is seen as part of communicative activity and is used in oral communication linked to social demands. The article also emphasizes that listening comprehension skills are formed only in the process of listening, and main tool in teaching speech recognition is a taped text. On the beginner stage, the texts selected should correspond to students’ level of knowledge. But it is better to focus on high-achieving students. Effectiveness in teaching comprehension also depends on listeners’ interest in understanding of speech content. Experience of teachers of the preparatory departments shows that students better understand content texts with an interesting story. They must be adapted, that is simple and comprehensible. The article provides an example of a class on listening comprehension, as well as pre-text and post-text work of the teacher with students. The system of exercises promoting development of listening skills is shown. It has been proved that underestimating the importance of listening skill development, especially on the beginner stage, may lead to great difficulties in further foreign language learning.