Monitoring of cadets’ background knowledge by electronic testing in iSpring QuizMaker computer program

Contemporary geopolitical situation, development of military industry, constant exchange of experience at scientific conferences require the good level of language among Russian servicemen to reach an understanding in the communication process. The author highlights that the main purpose of learning foreign languages is not just to improve knowledge of grammar and vocabulary, but also to develop communication skills, which are necessary for intercultural relationship in the modern world. Knowledge of the culture of the respective language is also of great importance. Due to this fact, there is a need to organize the educational process through a dialogue of cultures. Cross-cultural learning includes the analysis of sociocultural realities and behavioral norms of people from the countries of studied language to enrich cadets’ background knowledge. The article discusses the feasibility of computer testing for cadets’ sociocultural knowledge and skills monitoring. The implementation of digital tools aims to modernize and intensify the process of teaching foreign languages in a military university. The variability of tasks is one of the main advantages of this program, that allows to make up comprehension questions dealing with cultural features, historical events or social norms of various societies to assess the level of cadets’ socio-cultural competence. The possibility of creating interactive tests to assess students is emphasized when describing the didactic potential of iSpring QuizMaker computer program. A few tasks of the interactive test for the first-year cadets of Yaroslavl Higher Military Institute of the Air Defense are given.