Организация синхронной и асинхронной коммуникации при обучении иностранному языку в Тюменском государственном университете

The article studies a number of issues related to the organization of synchronous and asynchronous communication while teaching a foreign language with the help of Moodle learning platform at University of Tyumen. In this connection, the peculiarities of functioning of those types of communication in a blended learning environment are discussed. The integration of information and communication techniques into the learning process involves reconsidering the place and role of the teacher, whose major task now is not to transfer knowledge, but stimulate interest in students, motivate them towards learning a foreign language, help them consolidate information and develop creatively, as well as organize students’ curricular activities, mind the impartiality in assessing their results and not forget about the feedback. The implementation of blended learning is demonstrated on the topical lessons “Tyumen is the gate of Siberia”, developed for students majoring in International Relations. Both advantages and disadvantages of synchronous, asynchronous and blended types of learning have been identified. The article also gives a summary of how feasible and important employing such forms of learning in teaching foreign languages.