Abstract:

The article presents theoretical and practical aspects of the development of an innovative tool for foreign language education. Specifically, it concentrates on the creation of the complex electronic English language textbook for training specialists of the service sector of the Republic of Tatarstan.

The industry of hospitality, service and tourism is rapidly developing in the Republic of Tatarstan, and today this branch of economy is experiencing an acute shortage of the experts with the knowledge of foreign languages. Moreover, there is an acute demand for the development of the new efficient procedures and technologies for teaching foreign languages.

The proposed electronic textbook is unique as it integrates three branches of the service sector in the Republic of Tatarstan: tourism, service and hospitality, as well as restaurant and catering business. The electronic textbook includes the following major sections:
1. the basic lexical and grammatical part with electronic testing and hyperlinks;
2. English language for experts in the area of restaurant and catering business;
3. the dictionary-handbook for experts in the area of hospitality, and
4. Kazan guidebook.

This article describes the distinctive features of the electronic textbook: the high level of performance and artistic design, completeness of information, quality of methodological tools, visibility, consistency of presentation. Technical capabilities of the electronic textbook allow the use of authentic materials bringing the educational process to the linguistic realities. Working with the electronic textbook promotes the development of skills of independent work and the creative potential of students.

Keywords:

Electronic textbook, innovative tool, foreign language education, independent work, creative potential.