This article considers the process of formation of communication skills in Russian language among undergraduate students. The subject of the study is the conversation, and the effectiveness of exercises aimed at the development of communicative skills. Using the method of observation of students’ activity during the educational process, the results of the study showed that the use of various language components that were integrated into the task, contributed to a significant improvement in students’ communication skills. Russian vocabulary components proved effective in teaching Russian as a foreign language, this approach is recommended for wide application in educational practice.