Science Fiction in Russian Heritage Language Instruction

Experimental Creation of a Practical Module for Developing ESD Competencies

Abstract

The article presents the development and piloting of a teaching module for Russian as a heritage language, designed for bilingual adolescents aged 12–16 and built around science fiction (SF). The module comprises three workbooks based on works by R. Bradbury, L. Biggle Jr., and I. Asimov (CEFR levels B1+–B2).
A detailed design of a five-lesson cycle based on R. Bradbury's short story The Veldt is presented. The story models a disruption of family system sustainability — the replacement of human relationships with digital technologies — and serves as a basis for developing key ESD competencies: systems thinking (the technology–family balance) and normative competence (ethical responsibility). The methodological framework draws on the concepts of sustainable literary competence (Myren-Svelstad, 2020) and performative literacy (Blau, 2003).
The practical pilot was conducted with an eighth-grade class at a state school in North Rhine-Westphalia (Germany) within the Heritage Language Instruction programme (Herkunftssprachlicher Unterricht — HSU). Teacher observations and surveys of students and parents confirmed positive dynamics in bridging the gap between oral and written proficiency, increased social responsibility and awareness among adolescents regarding the impact of digitalisation on family communication, and enhanced academic motivation.