Problem-based learning in foreign language classes

The researches on the problem-based learning began in the 1960s. At that time, they were focused on finding ways to stimulate the mental activity of students and develop their creative thinking. In the present situation, teaching foreign languages is to acquire the abilities to communicate with a native speaker as a representative of another culture. In other words, a modern foreign language teacher must develop intercultural competence in a student. However, intercultural communication in professional activity may involve solving different types of problems and challenges. Therefore, the course material should be selected in accordance with the problem-based learning methods. A problem-based task requires both sociolinguistic and job-related materials. The research describes the best practices of problem-based learning within the Course in Translator in Professional Communication at the School of Economics of Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia.