Technical students` motivation increase for foreign language learning by means of foreign discipline-related internet resources

The article is devoted to didactic and functional features of such Internet resource as virtual museum regarded as motivating agent for increasing technical students` interest and productivity in studying foreign languages. Based on recent research concerning students` motivation problems the conclusion is drawn on the necessity of motivation increase for foreign language learning by means of modern approaches and teaching methods and its possibility to be combined with information and communication technologies (ICT) as an effective teaching tool due to the high motivating potential of the latter. Definition of the term “virtual museum” is given, its motivating potential is specified compared with other ICT tools. Virtual museum is regarded as an integrative resource combining the features of information resource, social service and edutainment environment corresponding to essential pedagogical and psychological conditions for motivation increase in foreign language learning. Special features of virtual museums are analyzed that stimulate motivation increase while using the content of virtual museum for classroom-based and distant education. Relative flexibility of virtual museum content to didactic adaptation for interactive activities (discussion, project, etc.) is noted. The examples of tasks for the development of different language activities drawing on the content of virtual British museums are given.