A Digital Technology for Learning English Terminology through Glossary Compilation

The article examines modern digital tools that enhance the effectiveness of professional foreign language acquisition by non-linguistic students. The resources presented here contribute to successful professional terminology acquisition by means of compiling specific scientific lexicons utilizing computer-aided vocabulary-building tools. The authors share the results of their practical work in Russia and present their considerations from the Russian experience regarding advantages and disadvantages of using the applications by modern students. The design encompasses a review of modern applications that can provide support in improving their vocabulary to both professional linguists and students of non-linguistic fields that help to master their language skills alongside with developing one’s academic, communicative and intercultural competencies. The applications utilized in the study are TermoStat Web, AGROVOC, WIPO Pearl, and Notion. The article depicts strong and weak points of each tool and their benefits for students. Among the most important findings is the fact that the applications tested by the authors can be used at almost any language proficiency level. Practical implication embodies the possibility of embedding the findings in the current curricula of English for Specific Purposes taught in non-linguistic Universities. The results may have significant academic and social implications making students more thoughtful about the subjects they are not well versed in and more confident and well-prepared for work in multicultural environment. The singularity of the design lies in the fact that the tested computerized instruments are considered as one of the main teaching aids and can be recommended to be widely used in the modern foreign language teaching curricula.