Specifics of linguistic-cultural adaptation of foreign students and expatriates in the Russian-speaking environment (as exemplified by non-philology students and French expatriates)

Background/Objective: The article covers the aspects directly related to linguistic-cultural adaptation. The purposes of this article are: studying and systematizing publications on general cultural and linguistic-cultural adaptation; describing the deliverables of linguistic-cultural adaptation of non-philology students and French expats; identifying the theoretical and practical bases for the elimination of the linguistic culture shock. Methods/Statistical Analysis: The descriptive, analytical and pedagogical observation method, i.e. an analysis of the work and discussions with students, have been used. In 2012-2016, firstyear students (120) of the faculties of economics and law taught at the RUDN and French expats (60) were interviewed. Findings: Using the empirical method, the authors have demonstrated that the improvement of the general proficiency in Russian as a foreign language takes on crucial importance in overcoming the subsequent linguistic shock when transferring from pre-university education to its main stage. Improvements/Application: The results can be used in developing curricula and educational multimedia materials, teaching relevant courses in education and philology departments, and in the frame of in-service training for specialists in Russian philology. The outcome can be used in updating the methodology of teaching Russian as a foreign language.