The Russian language in the modern educational space of Lebanon

The study analyzes the current state and progressive trends in the development of the Russian language teaching system in Lebanon. The relevance of the topic is determined by the need for a comprehensive analysis of the needs of the Lebanese Republic in learning the Russian language and getting education in Russian for young people. The aim of the study is to analyze the current state of Russian language learning, conditions for its further promotion and to propose the author’s methodology for the initial Russian language course (its content and methodological principles) within the framework of the general educational program “First Steps: from sound to letter, from letter to word”. The following research methods were used: analysis and synthesis of scientific sources on the research problem to determine its initial provisions; systematization of data for the analysis and development of organizational and content conditions of Russian language learning in educational institutions in Lebanon; direct observation, collecting information through purposeful perception and registration of organizational forms of Russian language learning; analysis and generalization of pedagogical experience, including the experience of the authors of this study in teaching Russian in Lebanon; analysis and synthesis of pedagogical experience in teaching Russian in the Lebanese State University and the Center for Open Education of the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation in the Lebanese Republic. The material for the study included analytical reports on the educational events in the Lebanese Republic, as well as the experience of teaching Russian within the framework of the general educational program “First Steps: from sound to letter, from letter to word”. The analysis has shown that the most popular organizational forms for teaching Russian in Lebanon are course and university formats. In school education in Lebanon, the Russian language is not studied officially, but preparatory work is carried out through interaction and joint efforts of Lebanon and Russia; optional disciplines and general educational programs are offered to schoolchildren interested in the Russian language. It seems promising to continue studying the practice of teaching Russian in the Center for Open Education in Ainab and transfer this experience to educational organizations of Lebanon.