Russian Speaking as Component of Multicultural Education in Republic of Azerbaijan

Abstract

The article deals with methodological principles and practical issues of education in the Russian language in Azerbaijan. Russian speaking is considered as an integral part of the public education system and a component of multicultural education. Socio-cultural factors of the wide spread of Russian education in the Republic and its functional aspects are generalized. Special attention is paid to the state support, status and methodological principles of education in the Russian language. The author emphasizes that the mass character of Russian speaking and education in Russian language in Azerbaijan is a clear indicator of the multicultural nature of Azerbaijani society. List of socio-cultural factors that led to the active functioning of the Russian language in the education system of the Republic of Azerbaijan is given. Academic and methodological support of the educational process in Russian in the Republic is characterized. The author claims that Russian-language education in the Republic of Azerbaijan successfully contributes to formation of civic identity, tolerance, training of highly qualified personnel, characterized by openness to other cultures and civic responsibility, and, ultimately, to deepening understanding and cooperation between Russia and Azerbaijan. The proposals of the author regarding the organization of multicultural education in the Republic of Azerbaijan are given.