Cultural Approach in Integrated Teaching of the Mari Language and Culture

The emergence of new approaches and their use in the education and upbringing of the younger generation is the response of education to the social order of society. Each of the approaches has methodological value, therefore it is actively used in the Russian education system. The Mari language teaching methodology is no exception, which is in search of the most effective teaching approaches. This is due to a decrease in the number of hours in the curriculum, as well as a decrease in the interest of the younger generation in their native (national) language the language. Modern methodological science analyzes the potential of methodological approaches and methods for organizing the language learning process. The article considers the issue of using a cultural approach in the organization of integrated teaching of the Mari language and culture. This approach contributes to the understanding of the process of teaching the Mari language on the basis of the culture of the Mari people. Cultural material forms studentsʼ respect for the Mari people by means of language and culture. Integrated education is implemented in many educational institutions of the Republic of Mari El. The choice of this approach in the integrated teaching of the Mari language and culture is explained by the fact that when teaching the language, the content of the educational material is filled with cultural material. In the process of learning the language, students get acquainted with the culture of the Mari people. Such material activates the cognitive interest of students in learning the language. The purpose of the study is to consider the pedagogical potential of the cultural approach for the organization of integrated teaching of the Mari language and culture. The research material was the scientific works of foreign and domestic researchers on the use of a cultural approach in language teaching, as well as curricula and manuals on the Mari language in the context of the research problem. Based on the results of the experimental study, conclusions are formulated on the expediency of using a cultural approach to organize integrated teaching of the Mari language and culture.