From June 14th to July 1st the Lingatek Center for Distance Education, along with the Department of Foreign Languages of the SUSU Institute of Linguistics and International Communications, lead a continuing education session for English language professors in a new program, Techniques of Mixed English Language Teaching Using a Communication-Based Approach, developed by assistant professor of the department of Linguistics and Translation, candidate of pedagogical sciences, Irina Stavtseva.
The program consists of 4 modules whose aim is to achieve the following goals of developing professional pedagogical skills:
- Ensuring an improved level of English language proficiency among students according to university development goals and, accordingly, to the European scale of foreign language competence, CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference);
- Realization of a communication-oriented approach using international methods for teaching a foreign language;
- The use of mixed education techniques in teaching English to university students;
- Implementation of modular block planning in the foreign language learning process aimed at increasing English language competency according to the CEFR.
The techniques of mixed education are mastered using alternating online and classroom lessons. The classroom lessons are built upon communicative approach principle with an emphasis on interaction between students in English. Absolute priority is given to practical knowledge and exchange of knowledge, not declarative knowledge.
This format was made possible thanks to certified program teachers:
- Kseniya Volchenkova– head of the SUSU Department of Foreign Languages, candidate of pedagogical sciences, Cambridge certificate CELTA;
- Elizaveta Kravtsova – professor of the SUSU Department of Linguistics and Translation, Cambridge certificate CELTA;
- Irina Stavtseva– assistant professor of the SUSU Department of Linguistics and Translation, candidate of pedagogical sciences, author of an educational blog and coauthor of the textbook, New Techniques in Professional Education with a stamp from the Educational Methodological Union, certificate from the British Council, Learning Technologies, certificate of continuing education, Innovations in Higher Education: Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC).
The author of the program of courses, Irina Stavtseva, commented on the event:
“The ambitious goals which stand before the university today require a second look at educational models, which is declared as a strategic initiative of the SUSU Road Map. This especially relates to English teachers. Foreign language training in our university has traditionally been held at a high level, but it solved different goals and was built on a different foundation. The priority is no longer dry academism and a broad knowledge base, but conversation practice and real, measurable improvement in language mastery, which requires constant language practice: a large number of classroom lessons and significant independent work by students using computer data processing. It sounds pretty, but it isn’t so easy to do! Beyond the corresponding needs (hours, educational materials, well-equipped classrooms…) the teachers must be ready for this. Here, we really lucked out: 28 interested, motivated teachers came to the course with great command of the English language and with a lot of experience in teaching, who are ready to work with a new method and in a new environment on results.”
Director of the Lingatek Center of Distance Education, candidate of pedagogical sciences, assistant professor Elena Yaroslavova rated the professionalism of the courses’ teachers and the level of preparation of students highly.
At the end of the program, the students received certificates of completion of a short continuing education course (36 hours).