International Round Table "Foreign Language Education: Vectors of Development"

The International Round Table "Foreign Language Education: Vectors of Development" was held on 19 February in the videoconference format. It was organised by the Department of Foreign Languages of BrSU and the Department of Foreign and Russian Languages of the K.A. Timiryazev Russian State Agricultural Academy (Moscow). 134 persons took part in the event.

In the welcoming speech, the Acting Head of the Chair of Foreign and Russian Languages of the K.A. Timiryazev Russian State Agrarian University-MSHA, Associate Professor A.A. Zaitsev and the Head of the Chair of Foreign Languages of BrSU L.M. Maksimuk told about the main activities of the departments they represent.

Within the framework of the round table there were presented the reports "Variability of additional language training programmes implemented by LOC "Lingua - MSHA" by Associate Professor L.E. Babushkina, "Main ways to motivate students to learn foreign languages by involving them in research, creative and project activities" by Y.A. Alipichev, "Experience of organising cultural, educational and upbringing events for students in the format "Boiling Point" by Lecturer V.G. Ryabchikov.

The offline and online discussions were then held on the following issues: improving the content and technologies of foreign language teaching for students of non-core specialities, additional linguistic education in a non-language university (prospects and challenges), increasing students' motivation to learn foreign languages, and the possibilities of distance technologies in foreign language teaching.

The participants of the event noted that due to the global changes in social life in Belarus and Russia, as well as in the whole world, the role of a foreign language in the education system has changed. It has transformed from an academic discipline into a basic element of the modern education system, a means of achieving professional fulfilment of a person.

The International Round Table "Foreign Language Education: Vectors of Development" became a platform for participants to discuss the prospects and vectors of development of foreign language education in the conditions of a modern university.