Zinaida Sabitova

Zinaida Sabitova is an Adjunct Professor in the Russian and Slavic Studies Program, Department of Classical and Oriental Studies, Hunter College, City University of New York. Since 2022 she has been teaching Russian language and linguistics courses at Hunter after a long international career.

Education

• Ph.D. in the grammar of Old Russian, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Kazakhstan (1999)

Research Interests

Prof. Sabitova’s scholarship centers on the structure and pedagogy of the Russian language. Her work spans:

• Morphological and syntactic description of modern and historical Russian
• Lingua-cultural and intercultural dimensions of Russian
• Methodologies for teaching Russian to native, heritage, and foreign learners
• Functional literacy development in secondary education

This breadth informs her authorship of widely used textbooks and research monographs.

Books & Major Publications

Instead of journal articles, Prof. Sabitova has produced a series of foundational textbooks and scholarly monographs, most recently Developing Functional Literacy Skills of Teaching the Russian Language in High-Schools (Moscow, 2022). Collectively these works cover Russian morphology, syntax, historical grammar, and pedagogical practice, supporting learners from middle school through university and teacher-training programs.

Scientific Awards

• National Russian Pushkin Medal (2019) – Awarded by the International Association of Teachers of Russian Language and Literature for outstanding contributions to Russian language studies worldwide.

Teaching & International Experience

With nearly three decades of classroom experience, Prof. Sabitova has taught Russian language at all levels and to diverse cohorts. Prior to Hunter, she held positions at:

• Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University
• Al-Farabi Kazakh National University
• University of Helsinki (Finland)
• Anadolu University (Turkey)

These postings have enriched her intercultural perspective and pedagogical techniques, which she now brings to CUNY students.