USING INTERNET-BASED TECHNOLOGIES WHEN DEVELOPING EFFECTIVE STRATEGY OF TEACHING FOREIGN LANGUAGES AT TERTIARY LEVEL

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to present some of the results of the use of the BlackBoard platform for teaching English at Saint-Petersburg State University. Nowadays the Internet technologies are widely used in educational process, especially when teaching foreign languages for specific purposes at tertiary level. Courses of foreign languages should be developed taking into account specific needs of the learners, they should provide variety of simulation activities replicating real life situations. Special attention should be paid to developing communication skills and to training terms. Developing modern teaching strategies requires using authentic materials – texts, video and audio recordings, etc. These materials help to increase students’ cultural awareness. The BlackBoard platform, designed for both individual and group learning, provides better educational opportunities and has enormous potential for tailoring courses of English exactly to students’ needs. It allows access to all Internet resources. The BlackBoard platform is particularly useful when teaching foreign languages for specific purposes, The BlackBoard platform helps to develop different skills (listening, speaking, etc.), contributing greatly to improving the level of teaching foreign languages, as well as to preparing students for the exam and for their future successful professional activities.