Applying Interactive Teaching Methods in a For-eign Language Classroom

Abstract

Nowadays, higher education requires not only the development of new educational standards, but also changes in the methodology of teaching foreign languages. One of the high-priority goals is to enhance teaching methods by using new tools and technologies. That is the gist of the new educational paradigm, which offers not only a different content and approaches, but also a new attitude to them. Interactive methods of teaching a foreign language make it possible to shift the educational process from passive to active learning, providing the implementation of activity-based leaning and learner-centered approaches. Goal. The goal is to consider the principles of using interactive teaching methods in the process of foreign language teaching at a higher school and to analyze the peculiarities of these methods in the context of their effective application. Methodology. When achieving the goal, the following methods of research were used: observation, descriptive and comparative methods as well as deduction, induction, analysis and synthesis. Results. We conclude from this study that the effectiveness of using interactive teaching methods at a higher school is ensured by the implementation of the following pedagogical conditions, namely the creation of a dialogic space in higher education classroom; the application of social skills training approach to in-class and out-of-class activities; monitoring students’ personal qualities and professional orientation; the formation of teachers’ psychological readiness to use interactive technologies aimed at self-development of students. Originality. The principals for effective application of interactive methods in a foreign language classroom at the university are suggested and the conditions required for developing students’ foreign language competence in the process of interactive learning are specified. Practical value. By following the proposed principals and recommendations, it is possible to increase the level of students’ engagement in the learning process, to foster their motivation for learning foreign languages, develop students’ creativity as well as improve their communication and interpersonal skills. They can also be useful for teachers who want to facilitate their professional performance.