This article is devoted to methodological problems, which occur in teaching reading in Russian at the stage of pre-master programs. The review of basic kinds of reading is given. The number of methodological issues arising in the process of education are 1) lack of knowledge about basic kinds of reading; 2) giving a lot of time for reading techniques; 3) the problem of choosing the text is analyzed. The article contains recommendations for the work with the text in order to increase the effectiveness of teaching reading, and in order to increase interest and motivation of students in their pre-master programs. The stages of work with the text are given. Methodological criteria for controlling the text comprehension by foreign students learning Russian language are reviewed.