The professors of the SUSU Institute of Linguistics and International Communications’ Department of Foreign Languages found out.
Organizing design activities in foreign language lessons was the main topic of the training seminar for professors of the Department of Foreign Languages. These specialized trainings and seminars are an important component of the system continuous professional development for pedagogues, developed within 8.1.3. “Introduce in-depth language training in bachelors’ programs” being realized within the program for increasing competitiveness at the University.
Design activities in English language lessons play an important role in both the development of the students’ linguistic competencies but also stimulate critical thinking, creative abilities, develop interest in future professions, and help recognize the role of foreign languages for future professionals. The pedagogue’s goal is to develop methodological tools to hold and evaluate projects in lessons.
The professors were introduced to the best practices of project-oriented English language education being used in member-universities of the 5-100 project. Special attention was paid to the experience of MISIS, where the program organizers regularly hold internships. Analysis of project-oriented training being held at the Department of Foreign Languages was presented further. Exercises in the Angel and Devil Technique were of special interest. In this technique, all of the positive and negative aspects of project assignments completed this year by the department’s students were discussed.
Working in mini-groups, the pedagogues developed and presented possible options for projects for every level of education from A1 to B2 to their colleagues. This collective activity allows them to accumulate the experience they already have, energize one another, and set the mood for future work.