Svetlana Somova

The article discusses specifications of Federal State Educational Standard of High Education and the conditions of implementing the Master’s Programme “Professionally-oriented Foreign Language Competence in the Humanities” in the Field of “Pedagogical Education”, realized by the Chair of Foreign Languages, Department of History and International Relations, Ryazan State University named after S. Esenin. The programme realizes two types of activity: pedagogical and research activity, forming the relevant skills through disciplines of the basic and variable blocks and elective courses. Implementation of the extramural form programme is facilitated by the use of distance learning courses, which can improve professional foreign language competence.

The article describes new approaches to foreign language teaching in secondary schools and universities proclaimed by the new Education Act in Russia, new Federal State Educational Standards. The author emphasizes the importance of continuity in foreign language teaching analyzes new demands and challenges in teaching foreign languages and illustrates the process by examples of experience in realizing the tasks of foreign language teaching in Ryazan State University named after S. Esenin.

The author deals with the issues of cultural development and professional training of future teachers of History and English as a Foreign Language. Preparing students for their future professional activity in the field of education we should bear in mind that studying languages and culture, integrating academic, research and cultural activities in socio-cultural regional environment give a strong impetus to professional growth and cultural development of the graduate.