USAGE OF FOLKLORE (MYTHS) IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE TEACHING

The article discusses the problems of learning foreign language with the means of folk pedagogics as for example myths of the people whose language is learned at the university. Why myths? Firstly, using myths in learning the second language the students introduce with the lingo cultural studies, the native myths help to understand the origin of some proverbs and sayings, secondly, native myths help students to improve vocabulary and communicative skills. There are many words and themes which deals with everyday life in the myths. Thirdly, students learn not only language but also learn about customs and traditions of the people. The authors of the article have some experience of using myths in foreign language teaching. The article deals with using Slavic myths at the lessons with foreign students learning Russian as a second language. According to the author’s experience Slavic myths can be successfully used to develop students’ communicative and translation skills at Russian language lessons for foreign students. Myths are easy to remember; they develop thinking, colligation ability of the students. And one of the most important reasons for using myths in teaching the second language is its educational value. Students can understand the history of the people, national character and mentality, the history of the country. In the article there are also some exercises which can be successfully used in teaching and learning languages. Being motivated by interesting myths, students show better results at mastering the communicative skills. Students of the first years of studies were involved into the experiment. The article might be useful for schoolteachers and University lectures interested in improving foreign language teaching methods.