On November 21–22, 2024, the VII Moscow International Cultural and Educational Forum on Russian as a Foreign Language (RFL) took place. The forum's theme was: "New and Traditional Aspects in the Multicultural Space of Teaching RFL: Current Issues in Theory and Practice." The event was organized by the Russian Language Teaching Center at Moscow State University, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, the "Russian Language and Culture" Center (Russian Center) in Almaty, Kazakhstan, and the Uzbek State World Languages University.
The forum was held in both in-person and online formats, enabling participation from a broad range of specialists from various countries. The second session, "Features of Teaching RFL in the Multicultural Space of Distant Foreign Countries," was particularly engaging for specialists from European countries, with speakers from Italy, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Hungary. Slovakia was represented by Gabriela Turisová, Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Russian Studies, Faculty of Philosophy, Prešov University, and a methodologist at the Russian Center in Prešov.
In her presentation, "The Status of the Russian Language and Features of Teaching RFL at Prešov University in Eastern Slovakia," she provided an overview of Prešov University, analyzed the specifics of teaching Russian as a foreign language at her institution, and discussed the status of Russian studies in the eastern region of Slovakia. Gabriela Turisová highlighted the long-standing tradition of Russian studies at Prešov University.
N. Yadryshnikova, a Russian language teacher at EFSPK, attended the conference as a participant.
The discussion emphasized the current status of the Russian language at the university, the number of students learning Russian as a foreign language, and the unique aspects of teaching Russian at Slovak universities. Educational tracks and programs at the Institute of Russian Studies at Prešov University and opportunities for studying Russian at the institution were also presented.
The Russian Center in Prešov was officially opened on November 20, 2018. It became the 113th platform for studying Russian language and culture created worldwide by the Russkiy Mir Foundation.
During the forum, it was noted that the Russian Center has hosted hundreds of events, including scientific, educational, cultural, and public activities aimed at promoting the Russian language and culture in Slovakia.
It was also highlighted that, with the support of the Russkiy Mir Foundation and the Faculty of Philosophy at Prešov University, two volumes of a collective monograph titled "In Search of Russian Values" were published.
The forum featured 50 speakers from 12 countries, including Russia, Italy, the UAE, Greece, Hungary, the UK, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Serbia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. These scholars, educators, and representatives from 33 educational institutions and centers discussed trends and prospects for teaching Russian as a foreign language in their respective countries.