Abstract:

The article discusses the language policy of the Russian Federation's poly-component region: the Republic of Dagestan. The aim of the paper is to consider the major problems affecting the educational system in the multinational Russian region - Dagetsan. Dagestan is the most multinational and multicultural republic of the Russian Federation with 14 co-official languages which include the languages of aboriginal national groups as well as languages that are titular in other states. This unique language situation creates the diversity that is valued and supported in Dagestan. However the republic has to face the challenges especially in the system of education. Providing the choice of the language of instruction or the opportunity to learn all the co-official languages of Dagestan is a complex and challenging task for the both for the government which has to develop the sufficient language policy and for the educational institutions which are responsible for creating and supporting the efficient teaching of all 14 co-official languages. The process needs appropriate funding and constant regulation. Today Dagestan needs to develop the strategy for maintaining and developing language and cultural diversity of the region and the main tool in this process is the inclusion of languages into education and providing their use throughout the educational chain of the republic - from nurseries to universities. The process is closely connected with the motivation and the social status of co-official languages in the republic. The paper will consider the legislative provision of inclusion of co-official languages of Dagestan into educational process as well as the present functional potential of the languages within the system of education of Dagestan. In the conclusion the paper will present the recommendations for improving the efficiency of language development in Dagestan through the means of education.

Keywords:

Language policy, languages in education, regional languages, language of instruction.