Using the narrative method of keeping a reflective learning diary by non-linguistic students to develop critical reflection skills in the course of foreign language lessons

Abstract

The topic of the present research is of current importance due to the new requirements in the higher education system imposed by Federal State Educational Standards 3++. We believe that the use of narrative method of keeping a reflective learning diary by non-linguistic students in the course of Foreign language facilitates development of critical reflection skills and thus universal competences. The notions of reflection and critical reflection in the learning context are defined in the paper. Also the article provides arguments for the efficiency of the reflective learning diary in developing critical reflection skills. The use of methods for developing critical reflection in the learning process should be planned properly and thus recommendations for keeping the reflective learning diary and assessment criteria have been carefully elaborated. The paper shows the results of the students’ work in keeping their reflective learning diaries following the criteria under consideration. It also provides the survey results of the experiment group. The results indicate that by keeping the reflective learning diaries the students analyzed and evaluated, reconsidered and revaluated their experience of learning the foreign language, their skills and knowledge, their emotions and (false) ideas about the course of foreign language lessons. They also worked out new ideas and ways of improving in the future their process of foreign language acquirement. All the mental processes mentioned form the basis of critical reflection in the learning context. Presented in this article results of the study aimed at the critical reflection skills development through the use of narrative method of keeping a reflective learning diary were obtained during the experimental foreign language training of the students of NArFU named after M.V. Lomonosov, field of study 39.03.01 Sociology, in the 2017–2018 academic year, carried out by associate Professor of the Department of English language Evseeva Larisa Nikolaevna. In a summarized form the results of experimental training have been presented in the dissertation research (master's thesis).