Applying Marketing Mix Model WebQuest in professional English teaching

Abstract

Today, a serious problem of teachers has been the search for educational technologies aimed not only at assimilating students a certain amount of knowledge, but also at developing their personal, creative and cognitive abilities. One of the concepts that allow teachers to maintain such a balance in teaching professional English in universities and higher education institutions proved to be the WebQuest interactive activities on the Internet with the help of Marketing Mix Model WebQuest technology. Based on the "Marketing Mix Model WebQuest", a series of interactive lessons in the framework of the course ‘English for professional purposes’ was conducted in 2 groups (control and experimental) of 22 students each at the faculty of “Social Sciences and Mass Communications” in the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation. The aim of the research was to teach the students professional English terminology and topics through interactive activities on the Internet. Using WebQuest technology, students were asked to listen to foreign speech, adapt it in accordance with their level of perception, adjust the sound speed by breaking phrases into separate words and comparing the pronunciation and spelling of words. The results of the study and t-Student criterion calculation showed that the experimental group did better than the control one. Mean value of control group came up to 74,32 points whereas of experimental group – to 81,95 points. The significance level of t-Student test made p < 0,001. The results obtained indicate that the implementation of Marketing Mix Model WebQuest technology facilitated a more intensive participation in the learning process of students, which made it possible to increase the efficiency of perception and memorization of educational material, as well as to use an interactive learning environment to solve professional problems, which is especially important for teaching a professional foreign language.