Blending foreign language learning with key competences. Does e-learning do the trick?

Numerous benefits and advantages of different forms of CALL, blended learning in particular, offer a considerable boost for academic foreign language teaching with competences treated as essential learning outcomes measured by means of such indicators as the growth of the level of mastery of language skills (in particular listening, reading and writing), which make up the ability to communicate in a foreign language (the Council of Europe's second key competence). Research shows e–learning considerably improves the effectiveness of competence–oriented educational efforts. To this end the author devised an e–learning course English for Law and incorporated it in his English teaching practice at university. The e–course integrated with traditional classes allowed to achieve some promising teaching results especially as they went beyond developing only a foreign language competence. With the holistic approach taken, the results corresponded with the development of other key competences, especially learning to learn.