The importance of primary foreign language education for the language training of general school students: the theoretical aspect of the research problem

The importance of primary foreign language education of younger school students for further study of a foreign language in secondary and high schools is emphasized. The concept of “primary foreign language education” is studied in detail, the aspects and specifics of primary foreign language education presented in methodological science since 1940 are identified, the terms “language learning” and “language acquisition” are analyzed. Within the framework of the article, we addressed the requirements of the Federal State Educational Standard in the field of implementation of primary foreign language education and determined the role of the younger student in teaching a foreign language. It is substantiated that the skills and abilities of foreign language proficiency formed in elementary school are the basis for further mastering of a foreign language by students in order to implement full-fledged foreign language communication. The specific trait of primary education is a game activity that lays the foundations for the natural mastery of a foreign language by younger students. The main advantage of playing activities in comparison with other types of activities is the provision of natural motives for the implementation of basic speech actions by young students. Reliance on the native language and consideration of the patterns of mastering native speech when teaching a foreign language are the most important characteristics of primary foreign language education. The conclusion is made that learning a foreign language in elementary school occurs naturally and through the same channels as mastering the native language.