ИСТИНА

The Teletandem method of learning languages is a kind of telecollaboration of two native speakers, agreed to help each other in reciprocal learning of their mother tongues. In the course of their tandem interaction they constantly rotate their functions of teacher and learner. Their collaboration is autonomous, they are equal and equally interested in learning their partner's language (principles of reciprocity and parity of languages). MSU (Russia) and VCU (USA) adapted the Teletandem method to enhance their students' mandatory foreign language learning (English and Russian, accordingly). Tandem partners communicate via Internet videoservices. A free independent tandem is transformed into an institutional one (i.e. included into the students' curricula as an elective learning activity). The article discusses the results obtained from students' feedback, suggesting possible objective and subjective causes of advantages and limitations of the Teletandem project, and also some ideas how to increase the efficacy of the method.