IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BLENDED LEARNING TECHNOLOGY IN THE SOUTH URAL STATE UNIVERSITY

Abstract

Level system of foreign language learning is a widespread world practice. It is successfully
implemented by leading universities around the world. In recent years, there has been an increasing
interest in blended learning that combines online and face-to-face classroom practices.
Since 2016, South Ural State University (SUSU) has been implementing this practice. The main
goal of which is to transform the university into a SMART one in order to form the basis for
the region’s sustainable development and make a significant contribution to education and
science of the whole world. The key aspects of blended learning system in SUSU are: the development
of individual activity style depending on the initial level of language proficiency;
placement tests development in order to form groups by levels with online support for them;
working out the appropriate score-rating system for monitoring students' progress at each level.
Also, for the first time the university has applied the final results assessment practice in accordance
with the international exams format such as KET, PET and IELTS.
The aim of our research is to study the satisfaction level of students of non-linguistic specialties
from the quality of education and to analyze the implementation process of the blended
learning technology.
During the research the following tasks were set and solved: 1. The experience of using
blended learning in educational process was analyzed; 2. The comparative analysis of the initial
and final level of language proficiency for the students of non-linguistic specialties was made;
3. The features of A1–B2 online support were described; 4. The types of classroom and extracurricular
activities were considered (the percentage of independent and classroom work);
5. The level of satisfaction among students of non-linguistic specialties from the quality of education
in the context of the educational program and the implementation of the blended learning
system was analyzed.
In conclusion it should be noted that this research has shown that the implementation of
blended learning technology in educational process has a positive impact on students' learning.
As a result of it, the level of students` satisfaction has become higher.