Contemporary world is dynamics, motion, unstoppable and exciting flow of information. Today, SUSU students hold leading positions regarding being in-demand on the labour market of not only the region but the country as well. This is due to the fact that students at SUSU not just get high-quality professional education but also have prospects in supplementary development and education. One of such key opportunities is advanced linguistic training. Students not only study foreign languages, they use them to think, speak, and carry out negotiations and correspondence.
At SUSU, learning of foreign languages is carried out on the basis of a multi-level model which has been elaborated taking into account international standards; speaking in professional terms, the level of knowledge of all students at the university is higher than B1+. Which means that students correctly comprehend the essence of a statement on a familiar topic, such as movies, hobbies, travel; they can use English language to ask for assistance in the majority of situations occurring while traveling to an English-speaking country; they can easily describe their impression, events, dreams, hopes and aspirations; they can briefly describe and substantiate their opinion.
The way the education process at SUSU functions
First of all, students undertake tests, upon results of which they get divided into groups in accordance with their language knowledge level, which gets determined according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), which provides maximally comfortable conditions for successful learning. The main goal of the CEFR system is to provide a method of assessment and learning, applicable for all European languages; this system is being used at the European Union as the main part of a project entitled “Language Learning for European Citizenship”. In November of 2001, resolution of the UN Council recommended using CEFR for creation of national systems for language competence assessment.
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In the course of learning, teachers apply brand-new educational technologies and the most up-to-date study materials. Students are working with textbooks issued by publishing houses which are acknowledged leaders in the sphere of foreign language learning, such as Cambridge University Press and Oxford University Press. The most important thing is that students borrow these textbooks in the library. Blended learning is a very up-to-date and efficient method of learning: aside from 5 hours of in-class learning, students can spend as much time for learning in the virtual medium using electronic simulators and various tools for online communication (forums, chat rooms, blogs), and the precious in-class time is devoted to in-person communication.
For each level, academics have elaborated parallel courses which are uploaded to the platform of SUSU IODE, where, regardless of time or location, students not only can complete assignments intended by the curriculum but also improve their knowledge by watching movies, visiting language learning websites, and read electronic books.
Special attention is paid to completion of minimum four study projects in a foreign language which students are learning within a year. Then they present their projects in a form of poster presentation, video, research article on topics of interest, etc.
We should note that lecturers at SUSU are highly-trained specialists whose English knowledge level is C1-C2, and who constantly enhance their qualification and have international certificates. Level C1-C2 means comprehension of extensive complex text of various topics with recognition of hidden meaning. This as well means the ability to speak fluently and spontaneously, not experiencing any difficulties in selection of words or expressions; flexible and efficient use of the language for communication in research and professional activity. Lecturers easily and fluently generate explicit, detailed and well-structures saying on complex topics, demonstrating their skills in mastering the models of text organisation, means of communication and combination of its elements.
They understand any spoken or written message and can compile a coherent text based on several vocal or written sources. Foreign language teachers at SUSU completed internships in the world’s best education centres, which is verified by international TKT (Teacher Knowledge Test) certificates. Let us add that all academics, who are teaching classes in experimental groups, have completed the online course elaborated by Cambridge University Press. Cambridge English combines knowledge and experience of two leading Departments at Cambridge University: Cambridge University Press and Cambridge Assessment English. This course provides for real learning, teaching and assessment of English language on the basis of international research.
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Multi-language environment at SUSU – what is it?
There are more than 2000 international students from 52 countries around the world studying at SUSU: China, Venezuela, Sudan, Iraq, India, Algeria, Laos and many other countries. Therefore, having been admitted to SUSU, a student inevitably finds oneself in a multi-language environment. At the university, there is mutual interest and respect between representatives of different cultures. Students have the opportunity to take part in celebration of national holidays, get familiar with customs and traditions, organise joint projects with international students, which means carrying out communication with native speakers. Thus, they get the unique possibility to extend their worldviews and speak English language with foreign citizens.
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International exams are a success!
At the end of each semester, students undertake a test using international-format materials which allow adequately determine of how the level of language knowledge has changed. KET, PET and FCE are the main parts of the series of Cambridge exams. Cambridge General English Exams have been elaborated for English language learners with various level of language knowledge, starting from the simplest, the A2 Key (KET) and finishing with the top-level exam C2 Proficiency (CPE). These exams are known worldwide and have been acknowledged by employers and by various educational institutions. Cambridge General English Exams provide the experience of using English language in the context of work, study and leisure.
Students, who have proven their high level of English language knowledge during the final exam in the 4th semester, get the right of preparing for and free-of-charge passing the IELTS exam with further obtainment of an international certificate. This exam has been elaborated in 1990. It tests a person’s mastering of various language skills, specifically: reading, listening comprehension, speaking and writing. The exams lasts for 2 hours 45 minutes and consists of 4 parts.
Results of this exam are acknowledged by all higher education institutions of the Great Britain and New Zealand, as well as by some of higher education institutions of Denmark, Canada and Germany. There are approximately 100 higher education institutions in America which admit IELTS results.
IELTS certificate is a competitive advantage of a SUSU graduate, as it provides additional possibilities from the position of academic and professional mobility: studying on Master’s degree programmes abroad, getting a prestigious job – it can be submitted while applying for a job or an internship in a foreign company. IELTS results get admitted not only in higher education institutions but also in companies and government institutions in 130 countries around the world, including Great Britain, Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand,, and even Africa.
Therefore, students are learning English for seven semesters and get their level of language knowledge assessed according to international standards.
Having been admitted to SUSU, students not only get a prestigious professional education but also acquire serious linguistic skills which provide multiple possibilities for a successful career.
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The President and Director General of the Executive Board at SMS Group Inc. (USA), Honorary Professor at SUSU, Pino Tese: “High level of culture means mastering another language aside from one’s mother tongue.”
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“In my opinion, learning English language for contemporary young people should be as customary as learning the multiplication table. Generally speaking, high level of culture means mastering another language aside from one’s mother tongue. Though there are more pragmatic goal of learning and knowing a language. In the modern world, English language is used to transmit 80 % of information. About a half of all business deals in Europe are made in English. Research publications in the largest high-ranked journals such as Scopus and Web of Science get issued in English as well. Meanwhile, it still remains the language of contemporary media: the largest radio broadcasting companies in the world, such as CBS, NBC, ABC and BBC, broadcast their programmes in English.
English language is the language of global trade and business, science and culture. Interest to this language is quite high both among adult population handling businesses and among students. Therefore, our cooperation with SUSU is very important and convenient for us. Students of the university undertake internships at our Company, implement joint projects, apply for a job with their language knowledge; but the most important things is that thanks to the initial high level of language knowledge, SUSU students quickly master special terminology, and with that they get a faster adaptation in the industry and achieve very good results,” says Pino Tese, Director General of American branch company of SMS Group German Holding Company, the world’s leading manufacturer of metallurgical equipment, which has been cooperating with SUSU for more than 5 years.