USING OPEN EDUCATION VIDEO TO SUPPORT BUILDING CULTURAL AWARENESS IN THE ESL CLASSROOM AT UNIVERSITY LEVEL

Abstract

It is a well known fact that images worth a thousand words and they proved their efficiency in supporting educational processes long time ago. It is long ago that teachers of English as a Second Language learned how to blend the learning of foreign languages combining printed text books with the power of video. Open education videos allow any ESL teacher to take advantage of using authentic materials and bring life to the classroom. Students benefit from being exposed to various view points and learning from outstanding professionals from around the world. It helps them not only to master a foreign language but also become better professionals in their field. Working with video materials gives students better insight into the national culture they study, ignites their cognitive interests and motivates them to participate in discussions and various types of collaborations with their mates. This article focuses on the ways of bringing open education videos into ESL classroom to boost cultural awareness and summarizes the successful practices used in Moscow State Institute of International Relations (University). It is vitally important for MGIMO graduates not only to have perfect command of English but also have a high level of cultural awareness, understand how historical events account for the processes in social and political life today. With that goal in mind, the author selected a number of videos from open education platforms and incorporated them into ESL University course along with a number of assignments. Another purpose of the article is to compare the outcomes of this video course with professional competences the students are expected to possess. Moreover, the author evaluates the students’ level of satisfaction with the course.