Development of linguistic and political competences of Russian students studying Chinese: Cultural meanings of Chinese state Symbols

Abstract

The active development of cooperation between the friendly peoples of the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China requires intensified training of specialists capable of ensuring intercultural communication between citizens of China, Russia and other Commonweath of Independent States members. In accordance with modern linguodidactics, the development of a foreign language should be linked with culture studies, which ensure the development of the linguistic and cultural competences. It is essential that Russian students fully understand cultural meanings of China’s state symbols. The paper proves the need to acquaint Russian students studying Chinese language and culture with the state symbols of the People’s Republic of China (flag, coat of arms and anthem) at the initial stage of training. It is important that Russian students fully understand the cultural meanings of the state symbols of modern China, the country that is proud of its history and looks boldly into the future. Didactic materials that can be used in the classroom on the topic “State Emblem of the People’s Republic of China”, as well as additional materials for educational or extracurricular activities are presented in the study. Comparable components of Chinese and Russian (Soviet) state symbols, their national and historical features are highlighted in the paper as confirmation of the prospects of using the comparative principle in the classroom with Russian students.