Foreign Language Textbook for Non-Linguistics University in the Interactive Medium

Abstract

The article defines the place of a modern foreign language textbook for a non-linguistics university in the interactive medium according to a competence approach to learning, considers its main characteristics (traditional and connected with digitalization of the learning process), suggests examples of materials used (both traditional and digitized) and provides results of experimental learning (including distance learning which acquired special importance during COVID-19). It is stressed that targeted development of a foreign language textbook for non-linguistics institutions has been performed for more than 70 years and nowadays it's high time to summarize and evaluate the results of the experience achieved. At that it is necessary to take into consideration that during global digitalization a foreign language textbook preserves its importance in the learning process. Answering the requirements to the competence approach in learning it simultaneously possesses its tested by time features and gets new ones oriented to the development of independent work skills; possibility of changing and adding learning materials using internet - resources; all-encompassing introduction of the interactive whiteboard and satellite TV etc. What is more, the structure of a modern textbook should be fully adaptable for its harmonious inclusion into distance learning which is becoming more and more popular. The Moscow technical university of communications and informatics has been the experimental basis in distance learning for many years. It has also initiated some similar researches independently. Based on the experience gathered a foreign language textbook has been created which has already undergone 7 issues, and additional materials (video courses including) have been developed. Mentioned above learning materials summarize existing traditional requirements to a foreign language textbook for non-linguistics universities and demonstrate new ones based on the results of analyzing and reviewing similar works of different authors and university's own researches. The textbook and additional materials are used both traditionally and with the use of high technologies, distance learning including.