Methods of formation of the communicative competence, skills of listening comprehension and speaking in particular, in the session in the “Linguistic cafe” are discussed in the article. The difficulties, which emerge in the process of second language acquisition, are outlined. The new form of organizing of lessons for foreign students, studying Russian language, “Linguistic cafe” is reviewed in the article. Methods of formation of listening comprehension skills and speaking skills in the session in the “Linguistic cafe” conducted at the Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University are provided. We pay special attention to cultural and linguistic specifics of verbal communication when teaching foreign students. We draw a conclusion based on the research findings that the sessions in the “Linguistic cafe” are effective form of out-of-class work with foreign students intended to the formation of the communicative competence. The content of the article is practice-oriented; the given examples of forms of work can be used when teaching foreign students in the process of out-of-class work at the higher educational establishments in Russia and abroad.