Abstract:

This paper introduces the experience of educating undergraduate students, intending linguists, at Kazan Federal University (KFU), Russia. As a matter of foreign language speech practice the necessity of public speaking activity in the classroom is highlighted and actualised by the authors.

The aim of the paper is to raise the importance of developing and promoting communicative skills of students majoring in Linguistics and studying more than two foreign languages.

The authors underline the diversity of functions realized through public speaking activities as well as the impact they have on the development of professional and personal qualities of BA students. Thus, the purpose of the research work lies in the field of professional competences which should be acquired by the students doing the degree. The paper also outlines the main pros and cons of this teaching technique at all stages of its implementation as public speaking includes several aspects that should be considered and at the same time differentiated due to the intending field of work either translation or teaching methodology.

By contrasting with distant learning it is crucial to emphasise and further analyse all the benefits each form of education may count and the drawbacks that can be experienced along the process by the students.

The authors’ findings are supported by the results of the opinion survey which was aimed at observing the students’ adaptability to speak a foreign language and was conducted among the KFU students studying linguistics. The results are generally characterised as a positive outcome for both parties of the educational process.

Keywords:

Public speaking, linguistics major, intending linguists, student, language education, university education.