Pedagogical
science/5.Teaching methods.
Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russia
Modern technologies
in foreign languages teaching
Abstract
The article discusses the status and trends of student’s learning foreign
languages. The author reveals the demands made by modern society to the foreign
language training of students. The basic goals, means and directions for improving the teaching of foreign
languages in high school are determined. Approaches and the
process of improving language training using new technologies are identified.
Innovative techniques and information technology and the possibility of their
use in the educational process of the university are analyzed.
Keywords:
foreign languages, linguistic competence, method of projects, information
technology, information environment.
The current situation in
the world is characterized by the widespread introduction of information
technologies in all spheres of life, including the education system. This helps
to change the content and process of training students in high school [4,
c.18]. Formation and development of the global information environment, the
modern labour market contribute to significant increase of the requirements to
the level of language proficiency of students, as they need to use a foreign
language, both in their training activities as well as in business
communication within the chosen specialty.
In this regard, the teaching
of foreign languages is particularly important, because it
promotes formation of communicative and language competences in terms of
personal and professional communication expansion. Maturity of language skills
will enable students in the future to communicate with representatives of the
profession actively and to use global information resources of their
professional environment [5, c.34]. Creating a global information environment
determines the allocation of the main communication language in which the
information is exchanged.
It should be noted that
at present the role of the English language deserves an important place in the
system of humanitarian training of future specialists.
However, the
effectiveness of foreign language teaching at university involves modernization of the content and technology
of education. We believe that it is the use of modern technology in the
educational process which will be the basis of such a process.
From the whole set of new educational
technologies, the following are the most notable: the project method and modern
information technology. They are considered
to
be responsible for achieving current goals and objectives of foreign languages’
teaching.
In the course of
foreign language teaching the described technology can be used by students for
the purpose of generalization and systematization of knowledge,
self-examination, and by teachers for monitoring effectively the results of
learning activities of students. Here is the most detailed look at two of them.
The introduction of
information technologies in language training involves some changes at the
level of the components of its content and the process conditions for
implementation, which will ensure a high level of foreign languages’ knowledge,
in accordance with the conditions of society informatization. The process of
selecting and structuring the content of the "Foreign Language"
subject is based on the principles of communicative and student-centered
teaching of foreign languages, which is reflected in various forms and methods
of the new information technologies use in foreign language lessons, and in the
process of classroom work and independent work of students [1, c.226].
The use of new information technologies in the teaching of
foreign languages is aimed at the effective formation of
students' reading skills, monologue and dialogue speech, grammar and writing,
provided that there is a high motivation of students to learn foreign
languages.
The Internet has not only
a wealth of information, but also a great didactic potential. It can be
effectively used in the following types of training activities: in distance
learning; in the classroom work under the guidance of a teacher; in independent
extracurricular work for getting more information on the subject studied; in
the search for information in the course of self-education [2, c.115].
As
Internet is a global information network, including a variety of information
and resources, the teachers’ task and role has greatly changed. Now they are
responsible for selecting certain information tools and resources which are
adequate to training tasks and goals. Represented Internet resources can be
actively used in the foreign language classroom and after school.
All types of reading
(the viewing, trial, search and study) are important for the formation of
foreign language competence. When learning to read, based on the Internet, the
teacher has the opportunity to select materials from the periodical press,
depending on the level of preparation of students.
Teaching listening skills
is possible through communication via Skype, which promotes understanding of
foreign speech at hearing it.
Part of the learning
process can also be used in such a global medium of communication as an e-mail.
It is not only a way of correspondence and a way to establish friendship and
business contacts, but it is also a means of communication and intercultural
competence formation in the process of foreign languages learning.
In the process of
teaching vocabulary to students the teachers use the following types of work:
the search for words in dictionaries, in media, drawing entries, search for
synonyms, antonyms based on reading the text, etc.
The effectiveness of the
new information technologies’ use in teaching foreign languages
is identified by: evaluation of communication needs of this group
of students in accordance with their upcoming profession; the use of multimedia
educational software; the use of the Internet resources in the classroom and in
the process of self-study; using e-mail as a means of personal and professional
communication [1, c.224].
Nowdays
teachers consider the application of a project method in the educational
process. This method is viewed as a system of learning, allowing
students to acquire knowledge and skills in the course of independent planning
and execution of gradually increasing complexity of practical tasks - projects
within the curriculum. The common structure of the project is: Problem - Design
- Finding information - Product - Presentation - Predicting new problems [3,
c.91]. The same structure of the project is in foreign language learning.
A project activity in the framework of such an algorithm is
characterized by the following advantages: the possibility of multimedia
presentation of educational material; rapid feedback to review the preparations
for the implementation of the project work at various stages. In addition,
communication using a computer helps
to remove communication problems which
often arise in the organization of game projects; the possibility to organize a
simultaneous group work and individual work in order to create conditions for
high activity, independence and responsibility of students in the educational
activity; develop a creative approach to solving problems of educational and
professional character, etc. [3, c.118]. Application of the method in the
learning process is advisable to carry out projects in stages in accordance
with the degree of students’ independence. For example, the first step is the
presentation of a problem-solving situation; the second - involves the creation of the problem
situation and shares its solving with the students; the third stage is that the
teacher creates a problem situation, and together with students he solves it; a
fourth step involves the complete independence of students who identify the
problem and solve it [3, c.73].
Work on the project can reveal
the individual skills and abilities of students and stimulate their interest in
science and research. The interaction between students and teachers in the
preparation of the project can also be carried out with the use of off-line and
on-line technologies. Preparation of a project draft requires not only good
knowledge of foreign languages but also involves some computer literacy in
order to find special information on the Internet, preparation of the project
and its presentations, development of graphical information.
Thus, the use of modern
technologies in foreign languages learning helps to activate the learning
process and is characterized by: the empowerment of innovative learning tools,
while ensuring an active dialogue between the teacher and a student,
achievement of students high level self-development; the implementation of a
differentiated approach based on learners’ individual capabilities . In addition, it leads to the intensification
of students’ interest in history, traditions, innovations of the English
speaking countries. All of these forms the basis for effective mastery of
foreign languages in the context of the
integration of foreign language with general and special subjects, as well as
the introduction of computers and of the Internet in the university system of
foreign languages teaching.
Referenses:
1. Kadyrova F.M. Modernization of content and technology of language
training of students / F.M. Kadyrova // Vestnik of the Kazan Technological
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2. Kirilova G.I. Questions of modelling the information environment of
vocational training // Kazan pedagogical magazine. - 2011. - ¹ 2. - P. 114-119.
3. Kolesnikova I.A. Gorchakov- Siberian M.P. Instructional design / Ed.
V.A. Slastenina. - M.: "Academy", 2008.-288p.
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