Activity-Related and Sociocultural Grounds for Foreign Language Education of Adults who Lack Expressed Motivation for Cognitive Activity

Abstract

The paper considers the problem of forced rather than self-actualized teaching of a foreign language to students, educators and representatives of other practical fields of activity. Theoretical and methodological backgrounds for solving this problem are revealed on the basis of the humanistic and activity-based traditions of psychological and pedagogical knowledge. Activity-related traditions are analyzed in regard with the potentialities of appropriate approaches to learning to stir cognitive interest while educational process. Humanistic traditions designed to individualize education are explored in the context of psycho-corrective capabilities of educational activity, its conformity to the world outlook, cultural needs and psychological characteristics of a learner. The practical side of this study consists of methodological recommendations on the application of Baitukalov’s method of teaching foreign languages. Within the framework of Baitukalov’s methodology, the activity-related aspect of sociocultural foreign-language immersion is actualized through feature films. Fragments from feature films are used for the humanization of education as well. In the paper it is also substantiated that the fragments of motion pictures recommended for memorization through role playing not only contribute to the development of the communicative competence, but also make the psycho-correcting effect on the learner’s consciousness. The paper makes emphasis on fairy-tale stories, positive situations from films, where heroes overcome external circumstances successfully and change and grow personally. Besides, a characterization of a number of feature films is given. The criteria for the selection of feature films should be based on the individual characteristics of a person. It is recommended to unite the efforts of specialists for the experience exchange of using the feature films potential. The provision of «ecological safety» (that concerns ethics, moral, etc.) and aesthetics while selecting the certain fragments of film production for education purposes is asserted as the essential problem of the noted experience exchange. Further development of Baitukalov’s methodology is suggested in the aspect of the teaching potential of feature films, as well as in increasing the efficiency of cognitive activity at the expense of equal time intervals between key semantic units (words, images, etc.) with at least threefold repetition of key information