The article is devoted to the formulation and concretization of the problem of the formation of a competency-based approach to teaching the Russian language in schools with the Uzbek language of instruction. The article compares the traditional approach, which is focused on instilling knowledge, skills in the Russian language, and the competence-based approach, which is aimed at developing the appropriate competencies in the Russian language among students. The combination in practice of two different strategies for teaching Russian as a non-native language occurs due to a widespread misconception among Russian language teachers, according to which competencies are identified with the sum of knowledge, skills and abilities. At the same time, the following distinction is proposed: competencies are knowledge in action, the ability to consciously apply skills and abilities in solving specific communication problems. Based on the results of the study, the need for a radical change in the pedagogical thinking of teachers of Russian as a non-native language working in the schools of Uzbekistan is stated.
