Results of the author's study partly presented in the article prove that it is both possible and advisable to construct the course of the Russian language to be taught in the primary classes of Moldavian schools in the following way: presentation of certain theoretical knowledge concerning grammar and spelling should precede development of practical orthographical skills. Corresponding theoretical basis can be easily introduced to children through different kinds of analytical work with the language material. There are therefore significant learning reserves which can be used in order to raise considerably the quality of mastering Russian as the second language.