Content-Based Teaching of Russian as a Foreign Language

by Jason Merrill (Editor), Olga Makarova (Editor), Svetlana V. Nuss (Editor)

Overview

Content-Based Teaching of Russian as a Foreign Language explores how content-based instruction can be applied in the teaching of Russian as an additional or heritage language. Bringing together the perspectives and experiences of scholar-practitioners, this edited collection presents diverse contemporary approaches to the content-based instruction of Russian.

Through case studies that detail content-based courses and their evolution over recent years, the volume offers valuable insights into pedagogical innovation for developing and modernizing curricula. While grounded in research, the case studies emphasize practical application, providing models that can be adapted or replicated. Each chapter offers "lessons learned" to help educators tailor these courses to various settings. The chapters span all proficiency levels, from beginner to advanced, and they engage with a wide range of content.

The book will appeal to instructors of Russian in the fields of Russian studies and Slavonic studies, as well as anyone interested in Russian language pedagogy, foreign language acquisition, or curriculum development.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781032548340
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	05/19/2025
Series:	Routledge Russian Language Pedagogy and Research
Pages:	248
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Jason Merrill is Professor of Russian at Michigan State University and former Director of the Middlebury College Kathryn Wasserman Davis School of Russian, USA.

Olga Makarova is Senior Lecturer in Russian Studies at Queen Mary University of London, UK.

Svetlana V. Nuss is a series editor and teacher educator affiliated with the University of Alaska and Grand Canyon University, USA.

Table of Contents

PART I

CONTEXTUALIZING CONTENT-BASED LANGUAGE TEACHING 

1 The content-based teaching of Russian: A dual commitment to language and content

2 The content-based teaching of Russian: Themes, trends, opportunities

 

PART II

FROM BEGINNER TO INTERMEDIATE 

3 Content integration at the beginning level: What can be done?

4 Content-based curriculum design for lower-level Russian language students: Theory and Practice

5 Subtitled pop-music videos in the teaching of language and culture in intensive beginning Russian

6 Language arts: Teaching Russian in a university museum

 

PART III

FROM INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED 

7 “Balance of interests”: Fostering advanced Russian in a course on the Caspian Sea Treaty

8 Teaching intercultural communication as an autonomous discipline in L2 Russian

9 Building language and intercultural competence in content-based courses

10 Interdisciplinarity through content-based instruction: Addressing social and ecological justice in the Russian language program for global professionals

11 Media and motivation in advanced language courses for Gen Z learners

12 Micro-publishing and content-based instruction: The Russian-Speaking Arizona book project

13 Bridging worlds: Realities, challenges, and opportunities for the content-based teaching of Russian