DOI 10.51955/2312-1327_2025_2_149

Olga V. Pechinkina

Yulia V.Balandina

Inga V. Kuznetsova

Anastasia A. Nikulenko

Abstract. Despite the development of assistive technologies, visually impaired students (VIS) continue to face issues when learning English. Most of the research explores the role of technology and materials adaptation in teaching English to VIS; however, there is a lack of research focusing on development of methods and approaches specifically designed for online education of blind students. Our research aims to address this gap by describing the methods, approaches and adaption of materials used to teach online English as a second language to visually impaired master’s students in an inclusive setting at ITMO University. We found strong evidence supporting the effectiveness of collaborative activities in inclusive education and adapted this idea for our online course, in which we successfully addressed several challenges identified in the literature, notably problems with fostering blind students’ autonomy. The article provides examples of online collaborative activities, the analysis of the most common VIS mistakes and tips for online teaching VIS vocabulary, grammar and four language skills.

Keywords: visually impaired students, assistive technologies, online education, distant learning, inclusive setting, teaching strategies, ESL (English as a second language), accessibility, collaborative activities, educational materials, teacher training, adaptation of teaching materials, teaching language skills.

* The research is supported by the Vladimir Potanin Foundation.

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DOI 10.51955/2312-1327_2025_2_139 

Anastasiia P. Sinelnikova

Svetlana Yu. Bogdanova

Abstract. The article discusses the technique of using “Mind maps” for combined listening and speaking training for students of language training profiles. Listening comprehension is used as a basis for constructing a monological utterance. While listening to the text, the student fills in the Mind map prepared by the teacher, entering important details into it in the volume and in the sequence that the mapmaker intended to achieve the goals of this exercise. The completed Mind map serves as a prompt for the student to create his own oral monologue on the topic covered in the text for listening. The application of the “Mind maps” technique in English language classes at a university is substantiated, and the course of the lesson in which this method can be used is described. As a result of the testing of this method among students of the 3rd year of the language profile, its effectiveness for the development of foreign language communicative competence in the absence of a language environment was confirmed. The article provides data from a survey of students participating in the testing, and concludes that it is advisable to use the “Mind maps” technique, taking into account the development of students’ creative thinking and the ability to establish hierarchical and logical relationships.

Keywords: Mind maps, listening comprehension, speaking, technique, English.

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DOI 10.51955/2312-1327_2025_1_207

Natalia V. Gribacheva

Daria S. Bespalova

Olga Yu. Pavlova

Abstract. The paper focuses on developing students’ pronunciation skills in conditions of distance learning in higher education. The authors analyze the specifics of online EFL lessons (their advantages and disadvantages), list the main mistakes in teaching pronunciation and suggest the ways for teachers to avoid making them. The authors applied several methods during their research, i.e. comparative historical analysis of the up-to-date approaches to teaching pronunciation in English Teaching Methodology, observation, learning experience and project-based learning method. Special attention in the paper is given to the most efficient forms of student work during an online lesson in the aspect of acquiring natural English pronunciation and to the right way for teachers to motivate students and organize their unguided pronunciation practice activities. The importance of fostering students’ pronunciation skills is proven along with the vital role of pronunciation aspect in students’ communicative competence. The aim of teaching pronunciation is established with the term «threshold level of pronunciation». The article also concentrates on specific stages of online listening exercises and on the importance of doing them in the right order. Several options of facilitating the process of acquiring pronunciation skills during distance learning are offered in the article, i.e. shadowing technique, scaffolding, project work and individually-oriented approach.

Keywords: threshold level of pronunciation, oral communicative competence, phonological competence, communicative approach, pronunciation skills, distance learning, listening, connected speech, scaffolding, shadowing, project work.

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DOI 10.51955/2312-1327_2024_3_212

Anna A. Zankova

Abstract. Individual non-formal online language learning format is becoming more popular around the world. However, it is observed that the theoretical and methodological foundations are currently not fully developed. The article considers the advantages of non-formal individual online teaching Russian as a foreign language to adult learners under the teacher’s guidance, as well as a set of organizational patterns, approaches, and principles of functioning of this educational phenomenon. We have found out that individual non-formal online language learning is based on the following pedagogical organizational patterns: the management of the pedagogical process, the unity of teacher and learner’s activities, the dynamics of the pedagogical process. Effective organization of learning process is one of the current problems of modern didactics; therefore, it is important to consider the theoretical and methodological justifications of popular educational trends.

Keywords: non-formal online language learning, Russian as a foreign language, online format, methodological justification, synchronous online learning, synchronous and asynchronous modes of communication, online teacher.

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DOI 10.51955/2312-1327_2024_2_212

Tatiana S. Sushii

Abstract. This article explores the role of virtual museums in the context of teaching foreign languages and their impact on the socio-cultural development of students. The relevance of the issue is due to the fact that virtual museums represent a new form of museum experience that allows users to remotely immerse themselves in the history and culture of the foreign language. The purpose of the study is to identify the potential of virtual museums in teaching foreign languages and developing students’ socio-cultural competence. It is shown how they contribute to the formation of understanding and respect for different cultures. The results of the study reveal the advantages of using virtual museums in teaching foreign languages. The article can be useful for teachers and students who seek to effectively use this technology in teaching foreign languages and developing socio-cultural competence.

Key words: virtual museum, information and communication technology, socio-cultural competence, teaching foreign languages.

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