Practical experience of “Online Learning” course as a tool to develop linguistic-and-methodological competence of prospective foreign language teachers

Abstract

The article discusses the current topic of distance education using online technologies. The material presented in the research is especially relevant in the context of the forced transition of educational institutions in all countries to online learning because of the threat of COVID-19. The author suggests available and algorithmic training course “Online Learning”, which is called to help teachers and students of pedagogical specialities to acquire extensive knowledge of organizing online classes. The purpose of the article is to discuss the experience of introducing the “Online Learning” course into the process of development of linguistic-and-methodological competence in prospective foreign language teachers, which aims to teach both teachers and students who master the profession of foreign language teachers to apply the video conferencing software ZOOM for successful and effective online training both under quarantine conditions and in their professional activity. The advantage of online learning and teaching is that there are no limits and boundaries. Online education increases the mobility of both students and teachers; provides opportunities to get higher education for anyone who wants, but for some reasons does not attend classes in educational institution. Training course “Online Learning” has been effectively and successfully introduced in three higher education institutions of Ukraine (“Luhansk Taras Shevchenko National University”, Donbass State Pedagogical University, and Poltava V. Karolenko National Pedagogical University). The given training course curriculum includes five practical classes which will provide the students with theoretical knowledge and practical skills of how to organize learning and teaching online process. The applicants of the course will also get acquainted with peculiarities of online educational process organization; develop practical skills of professional self-development taking into account modern requirements of educational services market and achievements of modern technologies. Key words: online learning, linguistic-and-methodological competence, online technologies, video conferencing software.