WebQuest development based on Google Maps for studying language and culture of Australia

Introduction. Language and Culture studies, studying the relationship between language and culture, is an important component of linguistic education, which today is not given enough attention in the training programs for linguistics students. This problem can be solved by integrating students' research activities based on WebQuest technology into the foreign language training course. The purpose of this study is to determine the didactic potential of a WebQuest created with Google Maps geolocation application in the study of Australian Language and Culture by linguistics students. Methodology. The authors analyzed scientific literature and teaching materials in the field of Language and Culture studies, linguoculturology, australistics and digital linguodidactics. As a basis for the web-quest, an interactive map of Australia was created with Google Maps geolocation application, which allows to link GPS-coordinates of geographical objects with selected sociocultural and linguistic data. WebQuest scenarios containing Language and Culture studies tasks and instructions for their fulfillment were developed. Results. Experimental work was carried out on the basis of Linguistics faculty of Bauman Moscow State Technical University. The WebQuest was tested in groups of 2nd year students majoring in Theoretical and Applied Linguistics. The criterion-based evaluation of the obtained results was carried out, as well as the analysis of self-evaluation sheets and written feedback from the students participating in the WebQuest. Conclusion. The analysis and generalization of the above experience allowed the authors to formulate the conditions for WebQuest successful inclusion in English as a Second language course in order to increase linguistics students’ motivation to study mutual influence of language and culture and develop communicative skills in Australian English.