RFL textbook and RNL textbook: differences
The Biggest Mistake When Choosing a Russian Textbook (and Why It Doesn't Work)
Teaching Russian is a complex and multifaceted process. Lessons can vary greatly depending on the goals and target audience (read more in this article).
There is a significant difference between textbooks on RFL (Russian as a foreign language) and RNL (Russian as a native language). The goals of the learning process affect the way the material is presented in each textbook.
In this article, we will look at the main differences between these textbooks to help you understand which one is best for an individual child or classroom.
So, what is the difference between textbooks on RFL and textbooks on RNL (Russian as a native language)?
Binding to the school grade
RFL textbooks are not tied to specific school grades. There is a strict sequence of textbooks, but they are not linked to the year of study or the grade of the child. Age may be recommended in the textbook, but the age range is quite wide. RFL textbooks most often have a sequential number.
Grammatical structure and learning objectives
Russian language textbooks focus on the study of the grammatical structure of the Russian language (so-called functional grammar). The main goal of such textbooks is to teach a child to speak Russian. RFL textbooks study orthography and punctuation rules, and their goal is to improve children's literacy.
That is precisely why it seems that there are no results when teaching non-native speakers using a program designed for native Russian speakers.
Selection of vocabulary and grammar
RFL textbooks undergo a strict selection of vocabulary and grammar. The study starts with the simplest words and constructions, the material is selected on the basis of two basic principles:
- Ease of use
- Frequency of use
RCR textbooks, on the contrary, seek to expand vocabulary by using words that children do not use in ordinary life and excerpts from literary works.
Inspection of new shapes and designs
RFL textbooks are characterized by full control of new forms and lexical constructions. All the information presented in such textbooks is given either for the first time or has already been covered and practiced in previous chapters. Students' complete ignorance of the Russian language is assumed.
Step-by-step work with new material
The principles of material presentation in RFL textbooks are strictly regulated:
- New material (in context or with examples of language and speech structures)
- Explaining the material in detail (e.g., how to construct a new grammatical form)
- Practicing on a large number of phrases and examples
- Getting into speech: modeling realistic life situations
Choosing the wrong textbook is the reason why a child may be "doing something" but not making progress in speech.
Understanding these differences helps you choose learning materials that will best meet the needs of your learners. If you want to teach your child to speak Russian in a foreign environment, Russian as a foreign language textbooks are the ideal choice. They offer a consistent, controlled and effective approach to language learning with an emphasis on speaking skills.
If a child isn't speaking, in most cases the problem isn't with the child, but with how the instruction is structured.
That is precisely why it is important to use materials designed according to the RFL methodology, rather than those intended for native speakers.
