Abstract:

Purpose of the educational process in teaching a foreign language in the GCTC (Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center) is a formation of the English language professional communicative competence of Russian cosmonauts and other specialists involved in the International space flight program, i.e. flowing English skills that allow participation in subject-related conversations and discussions of routine tasks when preparing for a space flight and on board the ISS (International Space Station). In this regard it becomes necessary to reconsider the existing language training system and optimize methodological approaches to organization of the teaching process itself and the content of utilized materials.

As a step in this direction the authors offer an electronic teaching and methodical complex developed on the basis of Moodle (Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment) educational platform using modern Internet technologies and project-based learning. The complex ensures implementation of the authors’ new teaching model taking into account both general and andragogical methodological principles of educational materials development for adults. The developed complex is characterized by a high degree of functionality, professionally oriented content of the training texts, exercises, videos, glossary as well as targeted communicatively oriented project activities.

Keywords:

Cosmonaut English language training, project activities, profession-oriented language training, Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center, International Space Station crew intercultural communication, Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment (Moodle).