Specifics of Teaching Foreign Language in a Non-Philological Field of Study: for Example, Slovak at the Faculty of Medicine of Comenius University

Abstract

The paper presents an important, up-to-date and interesting topic from the field of the second language acquisition – its special features of teaching in non-philological study. The process of language learning and acquiring is influenced by several factors – language and non-language ones. One of the most important indicators is the fact that there is a high rate of individualism among language learners, despite the common general characteristic as, e.g., non-philological field. Authors focus of specifics of language teaching in non-philological field of study. Authors found six specifics and they understand that it is not the final closed amount. They would be happy if this article motivates others researches, teachers and people who acquire language to share ideas, practical experiences, especially those that are useful and helpful in the process of language acquisition. Selected specifics in teaching medical students shows the importance of non-language ones. Authors also aim their attention to the teaching goal – to (professional) communication. They partly also pay attention to communication strategies of students and their attitude to Slovak. New teaching material try to prove a profound insight to the problematic, a long experience of authors as well as their knowledge of the particular linguistic theoretical background and secondary literature, mainly Slovak and English. This article brings theoretical observations, facts and remarks presented in the broader linguistic, didactic and communicative context as well as illustrative examples from teaching / learning practice.