Methodological Basics of Blended Learning in Teaching English for Academic Purposes to Engineering Students

Abstract

This article dwells on the problem of electronic and blended learning systems implementation in the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) teaching process at the engineering universities. The objective of these systems implementation is to optimize the process of communicative competence development for the professionally-oriented communication. The relevance of the problem is justified by several factors. Firstly, Foreign Language (FL) is not a major course, and then the amount of contact hours allocated to its mastering seems to be extremely insufficient. Therefore, the purpose of developing the professionally-oriented communicative competence at a level sufficient to conduct successful foreign language communication in the professional field seems to be rather elusive. Secondly, graduates’ requirements for the foreign language proficiency are quite high. Future engineers need Foreign Language both as a means of intercultural communication and as a source of specialized information. In this paper e-learning and blended learning have been defined, the components of the blended learning system such as tools, modes, methods, objectives and content of learning process which affect the structure of blended learning model have been stated. Moreover, the principles of EAP teaching for the engineering students within the blended learning system on the basis of an electronic educational Resource EAP ToolKit have been described in order to affect strongly the nature and effectiveness of the methodological system.