Development of students’ verbal creativity using flash cards in foreign language classes

Abstract

The problem and the aim. Development of linguistic diversity, creative ideas in foreign language communication are key areas of international activity supported at the level of the United Nations. An important condition for effectiveness of any dialogue is verbal creativity. Preparation of the individual for professional creative thinking, for overcoming verbal stereotypes takes place within the framework of higher education. The authors suggest using interactive resources of flash cards in teaching a foreign language to develop students' verbal creativity. Research methods. Teaching a foreign language using flash cards is based on the Leitner method. Flash cards as thematic cards depicting objects (concepts) are also used for development of speech (vocabulary, morphology, word formation, syntax, pronunciation), and psychological processes leading to new results (fluency, originality, flexibility). The testing developed by the authors is carried out, it includes the parts "Vocabulary", "Morphology", "Word formation", "Syntax", "Pronunciation", "Torrance figure test". An experimental study was conducted at Vyatka State University during the study of the disciplines "Electronic resources in the professional activity", "Foreign language". 60 first-year students studying Psychology (bachelor degree level) are involved. The Lexilize resource is used to create flash cards. Statistical processing of the results was performed using Pearson's χ2 (chi-square) test. Results. Students study services for creating flash cards, use them to process new material, memorize and present concepts, word formation in a variety of contexts. Statistically significant differences in the qualitative changes that occurred in the system according to the levels of development of verbal creativity were revealed, χ2obs. 2 > χ2crit0.05 (9,997 > 9,488) In conclusion the features of the presented version of using flash cards when teaching a foreign language are described: combination with other means (mobile applications, simulators, infographics) and traditional forms of information transfer; interdisciplinary connections. Rules are formulated, implementation of which ensures effectiveness of using flash cards for development of verbal creativity.