THE GAME OF WORDS AND MEANINGS: INTEGRATION OF PHRASEOLOGICAL UNITS INTO TEACHING RUSSIAN TO FOREIGNERS AT THE INITIAL STAGE

Abstract

The paper examines an innovative approach to teaching Russian to foreigners at the initial stage of learning, based on the integration of phraseological units and wordplay. Traditional methods often overlook the importance of a lively and engaging language learning experience, which can reduce students’ motivation. The study addresses various aspects of teaching Russian phraseology to foreign students at a university, but we believe that some of these aspects have not been sufficiently explored. This is due to the lack of a phraseological minimum for different levels of learning Russian as a foreign language and the lack of educational content for a specific group of students, particularly foreign students of the philology profile. Teaching Russian as a foreign language will be more comprehensive if it includes the study of idioms from the very beginning, as this will broaden students’ linguistic, speech, and cultural horizons. The methodology involves using idioms in the context of game-based exercises, which not only enhances students’ vocabulary but also develops their cognitive abilities and sense of humor. The play on words becomes not just a learning tool, but a way to immerse students in Russian culture and mentality through the language, motivating them to engage in rigorous learning and making the lessons more engaging and lively. The paper also examines the selection of phraseological units by topic and highlights the main issues related to the incorrect use of phraseological units.