Author:
I. E. Abramova,
PhD in Linguistics, Associate Professor,
Petrozavodsk State University,
33 Lenina ave., Petrozavodsk, 185000, Russian Federation,
e-mail: lapucherabr@gmail.com
A. V. Ananyina,
Senior Lecturer,
Petrozavodsk State University,
33 Lenina ave., Petrozavodsk, 185000, Russian Federation,
e-mail: ananyinastya@yahoo.com
Abstract:
Introduction. Modern Russian universities are expected to supply the country with highly skilled professionals who will have key competences and willingness for lifelong learning. However, it requires the same competences and attitude from the university teachers. The lack of lifelong learning skills vividly shows itself in the process of developing master’s programs in the English language, without which it is difficult to imagine Russian universities making any meaningful strides in international rankings. This arti-cle describes the practical experience in in-service education of Petrozavodsk State University’s Humanities teachers to develop master’s programs for academic purposes in English.
Materials and methods. The theoretical basis for the described experimental study was provided by the lifelong learning concept, the competence approach, the concepts of English for specific purposes (ESP) and English for academic purposes (EAP), andragogy principles, and researches of barriers in learning.
Results. All the participants of the experimental course for non-linguistic teachers designed the structure and defined the contents of their future master’s programs in English, compiled the study packs of English-language materials for potential international students, wrote introductory lectures for their courses and used them for prepar-ing an oral Power Point presentation, which later was video recorded and transformed into a digital story.
Conclusions. The authors come to a conclusion that the successful completion of a CLIL or EAP training course gives Russian university teachers a range of new competences for developing competitive master’s programs and prepares them for entering the international education market.
Keywords:
Adult learners, English for specific purposes, master’s programs in English, experimental teaching.
