Conditions for harmonious and comprehensive integration of foreign students in the Russian university (the case of the Ural State University of Economics)

Ural State University of Economics, 8 Marta Str., 62, 620144 Ekaterinburg, Russia

Abstract

One of the priority goals of Russian higher education development is its export, which is reflected in the federal programs and plans. The paper addresses the issues of language education of international students at the Ural State University of Economics (Yekaterinburg). A survey helped identify the needs of international students of the first year and reveal the main problems they face. Among the most serious difficulties are poor knowledge of Russian, bad communication with teachers and domestic students, and lack of support in the group. Some recommendations to foreign language teachers are offered that can help eliminate problems in the work with mixed-nationality groups and to motivate international students to study, which will decrease dropout and provide their harmonious integration in the university.