Zhang Simon's “Intermediate Course in Russian Etymology” as a Pivotal Textbook for Early Development of Teaching Russian Language in China

This study analyzes Zhang Simon’s textbook “Intermediate Course in Russian Etymology” (1923), which was the first grammar book on Russian language written by a Chinese scholar specifically targeting Chinese learners. The analysis examines educational practices within the context of international cultural and linguistic interaction during that period, highlighting its significance to contemporary research. A wide range of textbooks and grammars (1898—1923) from both Russian and Chinese sources are utilized as materials for investigation. Comparative analysis reveals that Zhang Simon did not simply replicate any existing work but creatively combined selected content from various available resources with his own innovative ideas, prioritizing the needs and challenges faced by Chinese students learning Russian. Special attention is given to strategies employed in organizing instructional material and translating terminological systems into Chinese. It is concluded that this textbook played a crucial role in shaping the history of teaching Russian language in China and contributed significantly to integrating Russian-language instruction into broader trends in linguistics and foreign language pedagogy at that time.