A round table “Digital technologies in the study of foreign languages” was held by the Department of Theoretical and Applied Linguistics of Baikal State University. The reports of first-year students of the Institute of Global Economy and International Relations, dedicated to the issue of learning foreign languages using various digital tools were presented at the event.

“The main problem in learning any foreign language is the lack of communication with its native speaker, so language immersion method is the most efficient way of learning a language. You can do it artificially with various digital tools, such as listening to podcasts, watching feature films and documentaries, content of video bloggers and teachers at different platforms. Communication with representatives of various countries, reading online news and original literature, grammar and vocabulary training on special digital simulators can help to learn a foreign language” – says the Head of the Department of Theoretical and Applied Linguistics of BSU Irina Zyryanova.

Moreover, during the discussion, linguistic students discussed a range of topical issues related to the development of artificial intelligence, the possibility of using chat bots for educational purposes in the study of foreign languages, problems and prospects for the development of neural networks, as well as the role of artificial intelligence systems in the field of education.

“I chose the app Busuu, because it’s more complete for learning foreign languages, and it contains a huge number of functions, which will be useful for both beginners and professionals” – says a first year student Anna Serobaba.

A round table became the first scientific experience of young linguists. In the future the Department of Theoretical and Applied Linguistics plans to expand and develop this project not only to improve the level of knowledge of linguists, but also students of other areas of study.