MAIN ASPECTS OF TEACHING ACADEMIC ENGLISH FOR PhD STUDENTS

Abstract

The article deals with main aspects of teaching Academic English for PhD students. This discipline belongs to the list of obligatory academic disciplines according to the third (educational and scientific level of higher education). English for Academic Purposes (EAP) is considered to be a part of English for Specific Purposes (ESP). In designing the course, we used the course design model by A. Gillett and L. Wray where the particular attention is paid to the students’ needs. The goal of studying the discipline Academic English is the formation of English-language communicative competence for effective research activities of PhD students. The main forms of education are practical classes and independent work. During the practical classes, the following teaching methods are used: a reproductive method; interactive methods; a method of collaborative learning; a problematic method; a heuristic method; a research method; role playing; a project method; preparation and writing of scientific papers. The particular attention is paid to the method of collaborative learning, which helps to foster critical thinking skills, enhances the ability to learn, and provides the informal setting. Key words: Academic English, EAP, academic writing, Doctor of Philosophy, PhD students, PhD training, collaborative learning, linguistic competences.