Maria A. Shemanaeva

The English language has ceased to be just the language of the culture of the United Kingdom and the USA and has become the language of international communication. The aim of the research was to identify how sociocultural competence is implemented in teaching English as a language of international communication within the school educational and methodological complex "English in Focus" for the 9th grade. An overview of scientific article databases shows that teaching English as a language of international communication is a relevant topic for research. The literature analysis revealed that, in the context of this study, the most significant component of foreign language communicative competence is sociocultural competence, which familiarizes learners with the peculiarities of communication within a specific cultural context. Approaches to teaching English as a foreign language and as a language of international communication were identified. Requirements for educational materials for teaching English as a language of international communication were defined: the presence of materials about local/native culture, the culture of the target language, and world/global culture in approximately equal proportions. The literature review showed that modern educational materials in various countries do not meet these requirements. An analysis of the "English in Focus" educational complex for the 9th grade of general education schools was conducted during the study. The results indicated that the materials predominantly focus on the UK and the USA (66-77%), while materials about native culture are almost absent (3-4%), and materials on world culture are insufficiently represented (4-20%). The new concept of English as a language of international communication and lingua franca has its own characteristics, as it implies a greater significance of the sociocultural component as a basis for forming not only foreign language communicative competence but also intercultural competence. The study substantiated the necessity of using additional materials with sociocultural content in English lessons at school, as they are one of the means for developing target competences. The research practically proved that for the successful development of these competences, it is essential to introduce a greater variety of materials related to both native/local/regional culture and world culture without the predominant influence of any specific culture.

In spite of internationalization of education, English remains the language of international communication, especially in the field of science. A significant number of English-language publications in international journals on foreign language teaching methodologies contribute to the formation of a common conceptual basis in the professional community worldwide. The purpose of this article is to empirically identify the awareness of foreign language instructors at universities in Russia and China regarding widely spread methodological ideas in modern foreign language education and to determine the specifics of their practical implementation in national contexts. The analysis of literature identified the most common approaches and models of teaching foreign languages in universities in different countries. A survey of foreign language instructors from Russian and Chinese universities (60 respondents) was conducted in two stages. The aims of the survey were to determine whether instructors in Russia and China are familiar with modern approaches and models for teaching the subject and whether there is a national specificity in the application of pedagogical tools in practical classes. The research showed that instructors from both universities are familiar with leading models of foreign language instruction in universities and understand the common terminology used in the theory of teaching the subject. The most well-known and used model in both universities is ESP (English for Specific Purposes). Significant differences were found when analyzing the pedagogical tools, which only coincided in "interactive tasks" and "audio/video-based tasks." However, a step-by-step development of the application of theoretical principles in practice is required, as well as familiarizing foreign language instructors with the methodology of their implementation considering the local teaching context. It is also important to determine which theoretical positions of methodological research should be supported by more detailed practical developments and which aspects of the interaction between theory and its practical implementation should be emphasized when enhancing the qualifications of university foreign language instructors. The adaptation of pedagogical tools by instructors from both countries, taking into account both general theory and national contexts, will contribute to creating a comfortable educational environment for all participants in exchange programs.

The issue of forming national-cultural identity and developing patriotism is relevant in all periods of societal development, especially during times of significant change. National-cultural and ethnocultural identity serves as the foundation for the development of patriotism, as awareness of belonging to one's native culture is the first step in developing self-awareness and a conscious love for one's homeland. Previous research has shown that foreign language as a discipline has great potential for developing and enhancing universal competences. Currently, higher education in Russia is in the process of introducing new disciplines aimed at forming national and ethnocultural identity; however, the potential of disciplines such as "Foreign Language" and "Intercultural Communication" is underestimated. The aim of the study was to assess the potentials and resources of the course "Intercultural Communication" for the development of national-cultural and ethnocultural identity and the growth of patriotism among students. The course "Intercultural Communication" was designed on the base of student-centered, activity-based, and competency-based approaches with an emphasis on achieving integrated learning outcomes (personal, meta-subject, and subject-specific). The study was conducted at the Institute of Foreign Languages at Petrozavodsk State University. 87 students majoring in Linguistics at Petrozavodsk State University participated in the study, which included initial questioning using Likert scale, studying the course "Intercultural Communication," follow-up questioning, and analysis of the results. Statements based on M. Byram's intercultural competence structure were used for questioning. Chi-square criteria and t-Student criteria for dependent samples were used to validate the results. The results confirmed the effectiveness of developing national-cultural identity and a sense of patriotism through the course "Intercultural Communication." In particular, the results showed that studying the course leads to a more conscious positive attitude towards native culture, which is the basis for forming ethnocultural identity and patriotism.

Russian school teachers use a coursebook chosen from the list of those recommended by the Ministry of Educa-tion. Nevertheless, it does not mean that they complete-ly rely on these books and do not introduce any changes. Nowadays, they have access to a great variety of teach-ing tools, which can positively affect the learning out-comes. A controversy arises between those administra-tive requirements that restrict teacher`s activities and choices, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, the same requirements encourage teachers to follow stu-dent-centered approach which suggests individualization and variety in teaching. The majority of foreign language school teachers do introduce changes into the course-books they use, thus displaying varied levels of their pro-fessional agency. In recent years, they have a unique opportunity to generate their own materials thanks to the incorporation of AI in education. The aim of this arti-cle is to find out and analyze the reasons for introducing changes into coursebooks and identify the character of such changes. The authors studied the outcomes of both Russian and foreign researchers, devoted to coursebook theory. Then they questioned school foreign language teachers to find out what changes they introduce and why. The study revealed that the overwhelming majority of the teachers are inclined to use the coursebook as the backbone of the course they teach in combination with additional materials and tools. In this decision, they are driven by the desire to promote the achievement of the course goals, keeping in mind their target learners, their preferences and abilities; their dissatisfaction with the materials and tools that the coursebook contains; their striving to diversify didactic tools and to select those materials that are in line with the students` close environment and acute events. The results of the study show that the main additions that foreign language teachers make to the teaching materials used are related to the content and technological solutions in the lesson. Based on these outcomes, it is obvious which aspects of foreign language teaching and learning theory and prac-tices require a special emphasis in pre-service as well as in-service teacher training.

Didactic and methodological research highlights a wide range of issues related to education efficiency. Still, both researchers and teachers note insufficient implementation of research outcomes in the classroom practices. The purpose of the article is to identify and analyze at an empirical level those ideas that have been proposed in university foreign language education studies and their relevance to everyday teaching and learning practices. The authors studied relevant literature on the leading approaches to foreign language education and, based on the method of meaningful integration, singled out the domineering assumptions that must guide teachers in designing their classrooms. Then, university foreign language teachers were questioned. The aim of the questionnaire was to find out if their practical decisions complied with the theoretical trends in the field. The study showed that more than half of the respondents combine coursebooks as the backbone of their curriculum with additional materials and didactic tools. In doing so, they aim at enhancing the efficiency of their classrooms by taking into account their students` characteristics, trying to engage them in classroom communication and thinking. In choosing content and didactic tools, they consider a few guidelines such as providing rational diversity in the classroom (variety of content, of student activities and didactic tools) to culturally amplify the learning environment and expand opportunities for student meaningful foreign language interactions. The study outcomes show that the majority of the university teachers questioned are familiar with the leading ideas of modern foreign language education. They are aware of the need to implement them in their practices. They tend to be autonomous and creative in designing their classrooms, keeping in mind the significance of student motivation and engagement in learning. It is also evident which theoretical assumptions need to be backed up by more detailed practical guidelines and which aspects of theory-classroom practices correlations need more attention in in-service university foreign language teacher education.