Argumentation and Debate in the Foreign Language Classroom: Russian and American University Students Collaborating through New Technologies

Russian Language Journal. 2012. Vol. 62. P. 141–166.

Brown N. A., Талалакина Е. В., Якушева И. В., Egget D.

In response to a growing demand for highly proficient speakers of foreign languages, both from private and government sectors, an added emphasis has been placed on developing communicative skills in the foreign language classroom. While time in a target language culture certainly plays a valuable and needed role, this research demonstrates that innovative curricular design and development in the university foreign language classroom can equal if not exceed uptake that occurs in extended immersion environments. A thorough description of the research design is provided, including the application of lexical items (connectors), listening, reading, written exercises, and videoconference debates involving students from National Research University Higher School of Economics in Moscow, Russia and Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. Assessment instruments used to measure language uptake among students included pre- and post-written proficiency testing and oral proficiency interviews in one’s respective target language as administered by certified American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) raters. In addition, students completed a background language questionnaire designed to elicit data relative to individual learner motivation.

Ключевые слова: иностранные языки, debates, foreign language acquisition, дебаты, видеоконференции, новые технологии в обучении, НИУ ВШЭ, new technology in teaching, video conferencing