The Minor is developed by Department of Foreign Languages (HSE-St.Petersburg).
At HSE, we strive for education that develops well-rounded individuals who are able to compete in the current job market. In the era of globalization, language and communication skills are key soft skills for any university graduate, but HSE students, being strong communicators in general, may lack the skill of communicating effectively with members of other cultures. In addition, many HSE students and graduates, being strong at languages, make language teaching their part-time job or even their future career. They may not, however, have received training as language teachers.
This minor will help to fulfill these needs and will also suite those who are generally interested in language, culture and teaching. You will be introduced to topics in language, culture and intercultural communication, and will gain a general understanding of teaching (didactics) and educational administration, of the process of language learning and methods of language teaching. You will also develop a greater awareness of world languages and cultures. The minor will equip you with knowledge and skills that will let you communicate effectively with members of other cultures (for example, in business communication); to understand the practical aspects of education, in particular teaching foreign languages, management in education (e.g. managing a language school), organizing extra-curricular and social activities for students. After completing the courses in this minor, you will be able to start a career as a language tutor or as a manager in education. You may also pursue graduate studies in linguistics, education and teaching foreign languages.
Throughout the minor, you will be collecting a “teaching portfolio”, which you can then use when applying for a job. All minor courses are aimed at creating opportunities to apply knowledge in practice and improve skills.
Students who successfully complete their studies at the minor will receive a micro-degree "Language education specialist", which will confirm the acquired knowledge and skills in the field of language education. This certificate can be used when applying for a job, for example, as an English language tutor, a language school manager, a specialist in working with children and adolescents (for example, organizing speaking clubs and social events in English), a specialist in promoting educational products, an education manager in the corporate sector (such positions exist in large companies).
In the 4th year of your studies, you will also have an opportunity to take two additional courses in teaching foreign languages and receive a Diploma of “Teacher of English as a foreign language.”
All the courses will be taught in English.
The minor will be delivered fully online.
Prerequisite: English language proficiency at B2 (Upper intermediate, CEFR) and higher
Maximum number of students:180
Courses:
Academic year 2024/25:
- Language, Culture and Language Teaching (Modules 1-2)
- Didactics and Language Teaching (Modules 3-4)
Academic Year 2025/26:
- Learning Foreign Languages Effectively (Modules 1-2)
- Language Teaching Methods and Technologies (Modules 3-4)
Restrictions:
The minor is open to all HSE Bachelor students, except those studying in the following two programs "Foreign Languages and Intercultural Communication" (Moscow) и "Foreign Languages and Intercultural Communication in Business
