DEVELOPING CHINESE STUDENTS’ COMMUNICATION SKILLS THROUGH SYNCHRONOUS DISTANCE INTERPRETING COURSE

Abstract

Future of higher education is closely connected with degree programs in distance mode as it guarantees security and convenience for overseas students. With Chinese-Russian relations becoming closer, more Chinese students are majoring in translation and interpreting studies at Russian universities while staying in China, so universities should provide well-organized online interpreting classes to build professional interpreting competences. Purpose. This paper aims to assess possibility of developing basic communication competence of future interpreters from China through all-digital synchronous interpreting course in Russian educational environment. Methodology. The research was carried out among Master’s degree Chinese students and their trainers at Lomonosov Moscow State University, overall number of participants was 58. The set of tools included role playing performance evaluation, open discussion, assessment scales, questionnaires and interviews. Results. The study showed that communication skills of future Chinese interpreters can be sufficiently developed in synchronous all-digital interpreting course if good educational environment is provided. The results of the cross-semester examination as well as the questionnaire data confirm that interpreting classes in distance synchronous mode at Moscow State University promote developing of communication competence of Chinese major degree students. For this purpose, pedagogical technologies of the course should include online interactive tasks, role play activities, small-size group rooms, chats via video platforms as well as use of various digital translation technologies. The results of the survey also showed that open online discussions with Russian students have a positive impact on the development of Chinese students’ communication skills. The study also reveals that synchronous distance learning is preferable for Chinese students in turbulent periods of world history (epidemics, wars) as it guarantees sustainability and continuality of educational process. Practical implications. The results of the study can be applied in optimizing the organization process in professional higher education both in Russia and abroad. Under certain circumstances synchronous distance training can be the only choice for international higher education programs.