1.1 Learning Russian in Modern China
A high level of foreign language proficiency includes knowledge of the verbal communication rules and the ability to apply them in practice. Verbal communication is the basis of business communication both for speaking and writing. Business communication plays an essential role in various types of professional activities and determines their success. The objective of business communication is to provide fruitful cooperation in a wide range of human activities. Business writing language, in the meaning of an essential set of business writing standards, includes knowledge of documentation forms (set, sequence, and location of bank details) and corresponding verbal methods of presentation. Business Language course is a compulsory part of the students’ training for bachelor's in Linguistics and future translators at the Chinese Higher Education Institute. This course helps international students to master their business communication for their future professional activities (Antropova, 2014). This article will focus on teaching Chinese language students of Russian business communication, or preferably on developing their ability to create written texts of a reproductively productive and productive nature following their communicative needs. The formation of writing skills, in turn, has a positive impact on the development of international students’ speaking on professional topics. A Russian translator's high-quality training becomes highly valuable because of the high relevance of specialists with knowledge of the Russian language in the current Chinese labor market (Xiao &Mashkina, 2019, p. 57).
What caused interest in studying Russian in modern China? In more detail, the position of the Russian language in China is researched both by Chinese and Russian specialists (Antropova, Mashkina & Xiao Jingyu, 2018). Here are some facts.
Firstly, China is currently one of Russia's main strategic partners in the world. This means strengthening and intensifying economic, political, and cultural ties. There is a need for an in-depth study of Chinese and Russian linguistic and cultural communities and their specifics. By linguistic and cultural community, we mean people united by a language or by culture or the unity of people with their language and culture.
Secondly, China and Russia have a rich history, distinctive cultural traditions, and a unique national identity. It is essential to consider the national and cultural specifics of our representatives' way of communicating, especially in the business field, to achieve close cooperation, friendly communication, and mutual understanding between our nations. Moreover, the necessity of this course is absolutely realized in China.
For example, in 2018, the new “National standards of quality of professional training of undergraduate students in multidisciplinary universities of the classical type” (普通高等学校本科专业类教学质量国家标准》) were published. They represent a clear set of requirements for the quality of professional bachelor training, including future specialists with knowledge of the Russian language (Xiao & Mashkina, 2019). The “national standards” have added new opportunities to the Russian language teaching system in China and in those fields where it is necessary to master business communication in Russian. A business language course has become a mandatory part of Chinese Bachelor’s programs in Linguistics at the Russian language faculties, where they provide training in the forms of “first specialty + second specialty” and “basic courses + auxiliary courses.” Students, in addition to the traditional subjects, master such practice-oriented subjects as diplomatic Russian language 外事俄语, business Russian writing 公文写作. These courses are intended to teach official business language and business communication in Russian.
Another interesting fact is that the block of General professional programs from the new Chinese “National standards” in the specialty “Russian language” includes such disciplines as cross-cultural studies, mastering basic research methods, and tools for writing research papers/essays. Mastering these disciplines, students apply in practice their knowledge of Russian. Students should be able to analyze scientific literature, possess cross-cultural communication skills, develop independent, critical thinking skills, skillfully operate research skills, apply information and other innovative technologies, and be ready for self-improvement self-development (Xiao & Mashkina, 2019).
Thus, when teaching Chinese Bachelors students in business communication and business language, it is necessary to include in the curriculum content that will help students develop cross-cultural communication skills to conduct future cross-cultural research.