Innovation in Language Learning

In Russia all the system of higher education has to admit that foreign language proficiency is no longer a luxury and it is becoming an important tool to implement goals of university development. In this regard, new methods and techniques of foreign language teaching are highly demanded, which would significantly improve the language competency of both students and academics. A search for effective methods to enhance foreign language teaching makes the author analyze Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) with the aim to study possibilities of their integration as a ready educational package into the existing system of language education in Russian higher educational institutions. The term MOOC has become a part of university vocabulary. These courses have been embroiled in controversy with regards to their efficacy and role in relation to traditional in-person university classes. Based on the research findings, the author concludes that it is irrational to use the resources as embedded components without significant adjustment to the conditions existing in the functioning system.