Philological sciences/2. Methods of Teaching Language and Literature

Master Sarbalakova G.B.

Student Shushaev S.D.

Karaganda State University named after academician E.A.Buketov

Innovative methods of teaching English at universities

This article tells us about the innovative methods of teaching English at universities. With the introduction of English into the Kazakhstan universities, the question of the teaching methodology has become actual. There were big problems with the release of textbooks for university students. There was also a problem of shortage of foreign language teachers at universities. With the introduction of English into the Kazakhstan universities, the question of the teaching methodology has become actual. There were big problems with the release of textbooks for university students. There was also a problem of shortage of foreign language teachers at universities.

Since gaining independence on December 16, 1991 the Republic of Kazakhstan has become a sovereign state striving to declare itself as a strong country capable of setting the most ambitious goals and successfully attaining them. In order to conduct successful social and economic policy the country needs qualified specialists who know foreign languages and are able to introduce the best foreign innovations to us. And certainly English became the most necessary foreign language.

Since the 18^th century, English has begun to strengthen in the world. After the Americans won the war of independence, they actively began the process of US development at the international level. American companies began to open their branches around the world and as the scientific and technical achievements of the United States were great in the 18-19^th centuries the products of their production were used by a large number of countries. But in addition to the United States, English is spoken also in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, in Canada, and in Australia. And this is only the list of countries where English is the state language. Today 1, 5 billion people speak English. In order to successfully develop the state the people of other countries need to know English which is needed for successful pursuing of foreign economic policy.

Kazakhstan schools and universities have the task to prepare qualified and competitive specialists. But undoubtedly, the special responsibility lay on the universities, since they prepare specialists of a narrow profile and the university is the last step before the beginning the professional activity. It was necessary to make a curriculum for the discipline of English, but the most difficult was to choose the most effective method of teaching.

With the introduction of English into the Kazakhstan universities, the question of the teaching methodology has become actual. There were big problems with the release of textbooks for university students. There was also a problem of shortage of foreign language teachers at universities.

The actions taken by the state were of a reconstructive nature. First, the Ministry of Education and Science increased the number of grants for the teaching profession of an “English teacher”. Secondly, the specialists in curriculum development started activities to find the most effective teaching programs and to adapt foreign literature to Kazakhstani universities. The bases of the book base were the books of “Cambridge University Press”. Also additional bases for the compilation of the program were Russian textbooks of the English by A. Dragunkina, A.V. Petrova. A little later, the university program included textbooks of “Macmillan Publishers”. All of the above literature has entered as an educational base for educational and methodological complexes in English for universities. Also depending on the interest of students at the university libraries foreign editions of textbooks on the development of grammar, phonetics and the expansion of the general outlook on the English language began to appear.

Methods of teaching English at universities are similar to teaching methods of other disciplines. Since the students of non-philological specialties begin to learn English from A1 level during 2 years of studying they learn the whole grammar course and actively practice it at the seminar lessons. Also as a part of the student’s independent work with the teacher each student can ask the teacher any question that interests him concerning language learning. So, today there are 2 types of lessons at university.

Seminar lessons. At the seminar lessons students learn the language in two categories: the grammar of the English language and various thematic topics (such as holidays, which are celebrated in English-speaking countries, various life situations with the use of dialogues, country studies and much more).

The number of hours for topics depends on the amount of information contained in the block. Classes take place according to the following structure: the explanation of the new topic by the teacher, the general discussion of the topic by the group, the implementation of practical exercises to consolidate the covered topic and at the end of the block there is a written or verbal test work. Seminars are evaluated from 0 to 100 points. Evaluation criteria: knowledge of grammar rules, the ability to correctly build a sentence, the correct pronunciation and the ability of critical thinking. Classes are conducted with the use of auxiliary tools: DVD-players, audio-media, interactive boards.

Student’s independent work with the teacher. On this type of classes students use a creative approach to learn the language. They prepare scientific reports and articles in English. Students also show creative approach by making projects on different topics (country studies of English-speaking countries, acquaintance with the culture and traditions of other nations). An important aspect is the development of spoken language and learning the language through familiarity with the culture of English-speaking countries. The development of the ability to write compositions, essays, statements is the primary task in the creative preparation of students. These classes are also evaluated on a 100-point scale.

To improve the quality of English language knowledge it is necessary to introduce the most advanced teaching methods. Today, the most effective techniques are those that are built on the brain and speed reading. I want to introduce some innovative methods for learning the language.

With the introduction of English into the Kazakhstan universities, the question of the teaching methodology has become actual. There were big problems with the release of textbooks for university students. There was also a problem of shortage of foreign language teachers at universities. Today it is difficult to cite as an example at least one specialty that does not require knowledge of English. First of all, this is indicated by the fact that a large number of training aids in the English language are published every year in the world. Especially it concerns the specialties of the natural-mathematical cycle. In order to be in demand by an employee and become a professional student should read as much foreign literature as possible during his studies at the university since it reflects the latest trends in his field of specialization. The most important thing is the effective teaching, so that after graduating from the university a person does not lose all of his accumulated language skills. To organize such work it is necessary to have innovative methods of teaching built on effective and long-term memorization of the language. According to the researches of Dr. Veilenur Racharmadran who was engaged in in-depth study of brain work it is also important to know your own mode of brain work in order to better master the learning material. At what time of the day the brain is better at absorbing information and which methods of perception of information are better absorbed by them. Knowing all these factors a person will be able to build a regime for effective language learning.

Also an important factor in raising the level of conversation among students is the invitation of native speakers of English for teaching in higher education institutions of Kazakhstan. This practice operates in many higher educational institutions of the country and during the period of operation it showed high results of efficiency. Entering into an open dialogue with the native speaker, the student simultaneously increases the vocabulary, improves pronunciation, the student’s brain gradually begins to try thinking in English which has an excellent effect on the performance.

A very good example of knowing own brain work that can lead to a great success is the example of Edward Boyden who was awarded a large number of awards for his contribution to science at a very young age. From his interview, Edward emphasized that it is better for him to absorb new information after breakfast, and that in order to study in the evening he needs at least a 20-minute afternoon nap.

After all, in order to build a strong, economically and socially developed state it is necessary to have progressive thinking, literate, comprehensively developed specialists who are trained by institutions of secondary and higher education.

Literature:

1 “Teach your brain to work” by M. McDonald.

2 “Japanese system of intelligence and memory development” by R. Kawashima

3 “Perfect brain” by Deepak Chopra.

4 “The brain. Instructions for use” by D.Rock.

5 “How to develop phenomenal memory and reading speed, or Einstein’s factor” by V.Venger, R.Paw.