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The problems of learning geography: overview of foreign studies

The article concerns the difficulties of learning geography in junior high school students and adolescents as they are reflected in foreign publications. It also discusses the effective teaching methods to be used by educators. Research results obtained by scientists from the United States, Ireland, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, China, Japan and other countries are analyzed in comparison with data of Russian researches. The article substantiates that people today need the knowledge of geography and therefore this subject must be present in the primary school curriculum as a part of an integral course, and in primary school as a separate academic discipline. It is possible to develop spatial and systematic thinking in students and to shape their worldviews by means of a school course in geography. However, the current state of this school subject does not meet the expectations of educators and scientists. The analyzed studies demonstrate the drop of interest to learning geography, as it is thought to be difficult. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of possible difficulties that students with mild disabilities may confront with in the course of their study of geography. We describe how to cope with potential problems and describe the teaching methods which are the most efficient and effective in improving the quality of geographical education. All studies are of great importance for the practice of education, because geographically literate person is able to take care of our planet, appreciate it, live harmoniously in a closely interdependent world