Plurilinguistic approach in teaching foreign language for professional purposes: a critical review of foreign English textbooks

The common European competences of foreign language proficiency are considered in the course of transition from multilingualism to plurilingualism. The article provides the analysis of task typology, structure and material presentation in modern foreign English textbooks based on practical, skill-centred “can do” approach promoted by common European unified requirements for teaching foreign languages. The low expediency of using foreign textbooks as the main ones for training students in Russian universities of international profile is substantiated. The peculiarities of foreign textbooks that hinder the language training of an international specialist are highlighted. In conclusion the article highlights the necessity of encouraging Russian universities to create textbooks and teaching aids to form and develop linguistic professionally relevant competences, in particular, when teaching the language for special purposes.