Studying European languages in Tajikistan: problems and prospects

Shahnosa Muminova (Pedagogical University, Z. Shahidi International Foundation)

Email: Nozjonichka29@mail.ru

 

ABSTRACT:

The Republic of Tajikistan has been recognized as independent, secular and developing country in 1991. One of the first and foremost tasks of the young state was to integrate the modern world. When the President of the country Emomali Rahmon outlined on the meeting with the young people in December, 3, 2003, that the task of the young generation is the study of European languages, linguistic policy of the country became more clear and constructive. But it was also clear, that that policy can not be framed within solely national strategy. Although the project to integrate modern world has been taken even in the second part of 19th c., that project was rather framed with Russian, then European languages. As a result of artificial ‘strategy’ of the soviet system now even Russian as a link in between national and world cultures is loosing its status.

The danger of the nowadays monolinguistic and ethno-cultural situation is obvious. Although the Russian scholarship of soviet time, provided the schools and universities by the good staff of teachers, most of them emigrated from Tajikistan due to the civil was and official state policy for strengthening ethno-national identity. Opportunities to increase knowledge and creativity are on a very low level. Only 196 teachers and 32 schoolchildren got some suitable conditions to evaluate their knowledge in European languages last year, which compose 7 % of those who are more or less involved into the process. Foundations, which are existed from the president of the country for the studying European languages, are not enough to improve the situation. Only 15% of the graduators of special faculties of European languages are working in the system of education. Other 85% either working for Embassies and international organizations or took commercial way of existence. To improve the situation means to work out a number of national/international programs of development:

1. National statement to improve European languages as international intercourse, working out new, interactive methods of teaching.
2. Research programs in European linguistic.
3. Research programs in modern European literatures.
4. Studying and promotion of new technological equipment (computer, internet, video halls) with the wide introducing of the styles of life of European countries and their intercultural approach.
5. Increasing budgeting of the study of European languages.

But these programmers can not be actualized crucial changing of EU, OSCE, USA and UN policies in Tajikistan. These are not only educational programmers, but programmers for security and prosperity of Europe and the world.