Skype technology in developing speaking skills in teaching ESL

Abstract

International standards for teaching foreign languages imply competence, personality-centered approach to education system, much independent work, individualization of education aimed at realization of creative possibilities, stimulation of interest and motivation to assimilate knowledge and development of competences. New approaches in pedagogy and methodology of foreign language teaching, technological advances lead to the development of various educational programs involving Skype technologies. The currency of the problem under investigation is determined by insufficient development of the organizational and pedagogical conditions of Skype technology introduction into teaching process. The objective of the study is in examining and systematizing the conditions of application of modern multimedia technology in teaching of speaking foreign (English) languages. The leading research methods have become the methods of theoretical prognostication and generalization of research results with consideration of new facts, the direct and indirect supervision of trainees during training, as well as the methods of analysis of the content of the educational material, forms and methods of training, trainers' performance, introduction of new educational multimedia technologies of foreign (English) language teaching. The main results of the study consist in developing an effective classification of Skype technologies, analysis of the problems and difficulties of application of Skypetechnologies in teaching of speaking foreign (English) languages. By the results of the study the Skypetechnology facilitation algorithm has been worked out. The results of the study make it possible to conclude that application of Skype technologies at the lessons of foreign (English) language contributes to heightening students' interest in the subject and activizing their speech-mental activity, developing the skills of independent teamwork, effective formation of all kinds of speech activity. The systematic fulfillment of assignments based on modern information technologies forms the stable skills of independent work in students, which leads to a reduction of the time taken to perform standard learning tasks and increases the time to fulfill creative work. The materials of the article may be useful for further elaboration of the problem of Skype technology application in foreign (English) language teaching at all stages of education at schools and universities.