Technology Assisted Creative Projects: Maximizing University Students’ Participation in Foreign Language Learning

Abstract

The article focuses on integration of project work into content-based instruction for foreign language university learners. By such integration educators facilitate students' creativity, ignite their motivation of self-expression, develop their collaboration and problem-solving skills. Apart from that educators create an engaging foreign language learning environment to enhance their classroom practices. Connecting Shakespeare's literary heritage with a topic under review suddenly breathed new life into the routine of the English language program for undergraduate students studying for their Bachelor's Degree in Management and Business. While working on the thematic unit «Crime and Punishment» students came up with an idea of staging Shakespeare's «Othello» at the Annual students' conference. Learning English through the prism of Art triggered a powerful emotional response, requiring learners to study authentic reading materials, search for supplementary historical and country studies sources, view online videos and collect related Internet sites. Digital and Internet technology supported every stage of the «Othello project»: starting from animated content summaries to choosing background music and surfing online sites for theatre props. Students' mobile and digital devices enabled them to access online materials any time and any place as well as connect with one another. The outcomes of the project were most rewarding in terms of developing the basic four language skills, learners' creativity and self-expression. Team-building , another skill which is most important for future managers cemented our cast. The «Othello project» had unexpected real life outcomes by getting recommendations from Moscow English theatre professionals. The project was a truly joyous experience for all students. It is also worth noting that by means of such social and emotional learning educators effectively develop collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, communication and problem-solving which are in the top ten skills for job candidates in 2020.