History:
Bellow is a brief history of the introduction of English to Russia, in relation to some of the milestone of Russian history, as divided by Lazaretnaya (2012: 6-16):
Imperial Russia and the English-speaking world:
Proshina (2010: 299-300) summarises the early history of English in Russia in the following point:
Bellow is a brief history of the introduction of English to Russia, in relation to some of the milestone of Russian history, as divided by Lazaretnaya (2012: 6-16):
Imperial Russia and the English-speaking world:
Proshina (2010: 299-300) summarises the early history of English in Russia in the following point:
- 16th century: Some of the first official contacts between the two countries
- 18th century: stronger bonds between the two nations.
- 19th century contact has even increased and English began to be learned as a foreign language. Nevertheless, learning the English language was accessible only to the nobility and the rich.
- As a foreign language, English was second after French. German too was a very widespread foreign language in Russia.
- During this period a couple of books and guides written in English were issued.
- Bilingualism during the end of the nineteenth century was seen as prestigious, but French-Russian bilingualism was seen as the most prestigious form of bilingualism.
- Knowledge of English was too seen as being important, but it was mainly centured on English literature.
- Language learning was mainly done at home.
The beginning of the 20th century:
The end of the WWII- Now:
This period can be divided into three phases that coincide with three major eras in the Russian post-war history (Lazaretnaya, 2012: 7-12).
1. Cold War and the Perestroika reform:
- During the beginning of the twentieth century, English-Russian bilingualism became very popular and started to spread among Russian families.
- English language learning setting changed from home to school (mainly private schools but also public schools).
- English became taught from kindergartens to secondary schools, but it was not compulsory.
The end of the WWII- Now:
This period can be divided into three phases that coincide with three major eras in the Russian post-war history (Lazaretnaya, 2012: 7-12).
1. Cold War and the Perestroika reform:
This short Prezi presentation shows the main periods of the Cold war and their effects on how English was used and taught in Soviet Russia:
Nash (1971) comments on the status of English, compared with other foreign languages, in Russia during the 1970's saying that "far outstripping its next two traditional competitors, French and German, English is now the most widely studied foreign language in the biggest country behind the Iron Curtain" (pp. 1-2).
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https://prezi.com/view/HOHVlWxLnc6n0quORu55/
Post-Perestroika (1992-1999) and the English "boom"!
The New Russia epoch: from 2000 onwards:
- The dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, paved the way for much reforms in economy and education, which opened the door for better relations with the west.
- At the time international relations became better and international travel became freer.
- Russia found itself in a world where the English language was the main vehicule of international communication between people from different linguistic and cultural background.
- This caused what some scholars referred to an “English boom in Russia”.
- English words soon penetrated Russian and English became rapidly used in the media, and professional spheres.
- English became a language of advertising for the Russian culture.
- English language teaching thrived at time. This was further strengthened by the establishment of non-governmental agencies and organizations , such as the ELO, and the British Council.
- New teaching methodologies were adopted by teachers.
- English became the first foreign language.
- But Russians were not very proficient in the English language, as shows the following diagram:
The New Russia epoch: from 2000 onwards:
- The passing of the power to Prime Minister Vladimir Putin marked the beginning of New Epoch. The fresh emergence of Russia as a major player in the international arena put even greater demand on the English Language.
- In the turn of the 21st century, English has become spoken in every region of the country. The number of speakers of English in Russia that have good skills in English remains very low compared to other European countries.