The article considers the experience of involving components of the linguistic environment in the project work of students studying Russian as a foreign language at the basic level, at the preparatory course in the Tyumen State Medical University. The purpose of the project work is to consolidate and expand knowledge on the topics covered, as well as to develop foreign language communicative competence. The project work, that includes communication both with the student group and with native speakers, allows to solve different problems successfully: to develop self-confidence, to improve social skills (cooperation and teamwork), to encourage motivation, to increase the expectation of success in the studied language, to obtain a positive assessment (including self-esteem). Practical ability to understand native speakers (except the teacher) and be understood by them is perceived by students at this stage as a marker of progress in language learning and an indicator of success. Also, project activities in the preparatory course, which begins in the first semester, affect the successful passage of the period of adaptation of foreign students. Going outside the University helps to acquaint students with the Russian culture, to increase self-esteem, interest and motivation to study, to destroy the language barrier after communicating with native speakers. Project activities can be a universal tool for comprehensive language learning for both academic and practical purposes. The study of lexical and grammatical topics in the future can be accompanied by the preparation of small projects. Thus, an effective language environment is created, which contributes to the good formation of communicative skills that are necessary for successful intercultural communication.