Theory and Methodology of Teaching Foreign Languages and Cultures

Profession

Is there a pupil who did not dream to take the position of a teacher? Is there a human being who did not dream to be perfect in a foreign language? A linguist is a person who studies modern languages in depth together with linguistics. A linguist develops practical language skills to a high level. A linguist — a specialist in theory and methods of foreign languages and cultures teaching — is a highly qualified, reflective and competent teacher of two or more foreign languages. A specialist of the kind is sensitive to the demands of the pupils and the job, responsive to a changing education system and committed to continue professional development throughout the career.
Excellent knowledge of foreign languages, human psychology and pedagogy allows foreign language teachers to be engaged in various sorts of language-related areas.

Educational Process

Starting with the English language in the first year a student will learn through a combination of fundamental theory and practice. In the process of studies, cross-cultural characteristics of communicative behaviour of representatives of Eastern and Western cultures in verbal and non-verbal communication are carefully studied. At the same time, communicative failures in intercultural communication, their causes and ways of dealing with them, which is especially important.
In the second year students choose one more foreign language. One can choose Spanish, German, Italian, French, Chinese or Japanese. Fundamental theories of psychology, pedagogy and methods of teaching foreign languages are taught alongside with Theoretical Phonetics and Grammar, Lexicology and Stylistics. Such important Humanities as Philosophy, History, Culture Studies, Sociology and others are also in the focus of the programme.
In the third year students obtain good professional skills and in the fourth year write the qualification bachelor’s papers under supervision of experienced teachers and well-known professors. During the tuition period students have great opportunities of meeting prominent scholars, participating in scientific conferences, going abroad with their co-students, enjoy extra-curriculum activities and experience advantages of an international university and such megapolis as Moscow, taking up sports.

Practice

Practical studies of two foreign languages: listening, speaking, reading, writing, translating is the essence of the whole teaching process at this programme. As students pass from one semester to another and become more skillful and motivated, practical interaction between students and teachers, lecturers and professors and among students themselves develop. Business and imitation games, role play, interactive communication are used to make practical studies more vivid. Round-table discussions and project work are in use as well. IT and Computer-based technologies are widely used in general and in interactive distant communication. In their final year of studies students are obligatory to take their teaching practice either at schools and colleges or at higher educational institutions.

Career

The majority of the programme graduates find jobs in language-related areas. They are well-prepared not only for teaching foreign languages and cultures but also are excellent translators and interpreters as well as managers. They find jobs at schools and colleges both at home and overseas, at local and international offices and companies, municipal and state structures and in the spheres of culture, tourism and hospitality, TV, mass-media and show-business. And this is not the full list of positions they can occupy.