Use of the discussion method in foreign language teaching

The article addresses discussion as a method of teaching a foreign language. Discussion as one of the forms of problem solving is one of the most widespread and successfully used methods that maximally correspond to the goals and objectives of foreign language teaching. The use of the discussion method creates optimal conditions for fulfilling a variety of communicative and interactive tasks, including the development of students’ interactive skills which are necessary for fluency in a foreign language. Despite the fact that the discussion method is actively used by foreign language teachers, students face a number of objective and subjective difficulties that significantly reduce its effectiveness. In such conditions the role of the teacher becomes crucial - the teacher clearly formulates the topic of the discussion and presents it to the class, selects the appropriate language material, determines the purpose and objectives of the discussion, structures it, assigns the roles of participants and forms groups, explains the rules and provides consultations, ensuring active interaction, argumentation of speech and orderliness of the discussion. Careful preparation for each stage of the discussion, competent choice of the topic of discussion and arranging groups of participants increase the efficiency of foreign language teaching.