Toward an understanding of the properties of neural network approaches for supernovae light curve approximation

The modern time-domain photometric surveys collect a lot of observations of various astronomical objects, and the coming era of large-scale surveys will provide even more information. Most of the objects have never received a spectroscopic follow-up, which is especially crucial for transients e.g. supernovae. In such cases, observed light curves could present an affordable alternative. Time series are actively used for photometric classification and characterization, such as peak and luminosity decline estimation. However, the collected time series are multidimensional, irregularly sampled, contain outliers, and do not have well-defined systematic uncertainties. Machine learning methods help extract useful information from available data in the most efficient way. We consider several light curve approximation methods based on neural networks: Multilayer Perceptrons, Bayesian Neural Networks, and Normalizing Flows, to approximate observations of a single light curve. Tests using both the simulated PLAsTiCC and real Zwicky Transient Facility data samples demonstrate that even few observations are enough to fit networks and achieve better approximation quality than other state-of-the-art methods. We show that the methods described in this work have better computational complexity and work faster than Gaussian Processes. We analyze the performance of the approximation techniques aiming to fill the gaps in the observations of the light curves, and show that the use of appropriate technique increases the accuracy of peak finding and supernova classification. In addition, the study results are organized in a Fulu Python library available on GitHub, which can be easily used by the community.Comment: Submitted to MNRAS. 14 pages, 6 figures, 9 table

Analysis of communicative methods effectiveness in teaching foreign languages during the coronavirus epidemic: Distance format

The forced transition to distance learning in 2020 forced the world scientific community to pay special attention to researching the effectiveness of the methodology for teaching subject disciplines in a remote format. In this manuscript, the authors did attempt to study, analyze, and classify various methods of teaching a foreign language (English, French, and German) at MGIMO University. The present research is based not only on a direct professional experience of working at a distance but also on an anonymous survey conducted among students. The purpose of this study is to develop and describe the most effective model of teaching a foreign language in the specified conditions. In addition to the empirical approach - observation of students’ work during the semester, the use of experimental control methods, comparison, comparative analysis of the results - the authors also use data from an anonymous survey among students and foreign language teachers, which emphasizes the practical significance and relevance of the study. During the students questioning, it was found out which teaching methods and specific exercises are the most effective in the framework of a distance lesson. The questioning of teachers made it possible to classify statistical results and identify methods that teachers use in teaching a foreign language in a distance format and which could be used by them but are not used. On the basis of the data obtained, the authors conclude that there is a discrepancy between the ideas of teachers and students about the effectiveness of using certain forms of online education. This conclusion will allow in the near future to adjust the methodological and teaching aids for working in a distance format in foreign language classes

Teaching a foreign language for professional purposes: peculiarities of legal terms used in teaching the language of a speciality for international specialists

Aim. One of the most important tasks which precedes the setting of goals for teaching a foreign language of a specialty and the selection of methods for achieving them is to identify the competencies that a qualified specialist must master. Therefore, the authors of this article see the need to set the following research tasks: the identification of professional competencies in the professional discourse of international affairs; the allocation of competencies among those that require the knowledge of a foreign language; and determination of the language material necessary for studying the specialty in the language lessons for international affairs. Methods. The empirical methods of our research comprise studying and analysis of the works of Russian and foreign scientists and teachers working in the related fields; and interviewing specialists in the international sphere who have graduated from the faculties and institutes of international relations, international law, world politics and economics in the form of an anonymous questionnaire. Theoretical methods include analysis, synthesis, comparison, generalisation, deduction, and induction. Results. A study based on the analysis of a survey completed by international specialists showed that a large number of professionals in the field of international relations, international law, politics, and economics use legal terminology in their work more often than others. Among the professional skills that are required in their work, the respondents named negotiation, business dialogue, and correspondence. Conclusion. A recent study has shown that disciplines such as international law must be included in the language training program for international specialists as diplomates and lawyers

From Foreign Languages to a Profession: The Professional Identity Formation During the Lessons of a Foreign Language for Special Purposes (Lexical and Professional Aspects)

Thesis. The authors of the study consider important issues of the professional competencies formation during the process of teaching a foreign language to law students as a process of their professional identity formation. The authors had to identify by interviewing students what types of exercises help them to master their chosen speciality in a foreign language. Methods. The authors rely on comparative, competitive methods, as the interdisciplinary approach principles. Comparing the programmes of teaching a foreign language of speciality and international law, the authors build a system of a single learning process as one of forming a professional identity. Results. Authors of the study tried to build the process methodology of teaching the language of the speciality as a formative one of students’ professional identity. The authors cited as an example the system of methods and exercises used in the language lessons of the speciality, with the aim of formation of not only linguistic but also legal professional competencies. Conclusion. The process of forming a professional identity in the process of studying at a university is one of the most important in the development of the professional personality of a future specialist. Teaching a foreign language in humanitarian universities is an important process which should be revised in accordance with the main discipline teaching programmes. It’s important to create such methodological complexes that would allow the speciality language lessons to bring the learning process as close as possible to a professional one

Analysis of Innovative Methods’ Effectiveness in Teaching Foreign Languages for Special Purposes Used for the Formation of Future Specialists’ Professional Competencies

One of the most important tasks of higher educational institutions is the training of specialists to be able to adapt to changes in their professional life. At the end of the twentieth and the beginning of the 21st centuries, some methods for developing foreign language competence, needed for their future professional activity, were created by teachers. However, the effectiveness of these methods has not been studied. This fact has aroused the authors’ interest and generated the idea about the necessity to conduct scientific research in order to identify the most effective methods of teaching foreign languages for special purposes. Methods: The given research paper is based on the analysis of Russian and foreign scholars’ scientific works covering the problem of teaching foreign languages for special purposes to the students of humanitarian professions, as well as on the basis of the results from questioning students of bachelor degree programs who study foreign languages for special purposes in the field of humanitarian professions, and also of the results from questioning teachers specializing in teaching foreign languages for special purposes. Results: In the students’ opinion, the most effective methods of teaching foreign languages for special purposes in the field of humanitarian professions are the following: discussion, ICT (information and communication technologies), and SCRUM (framework that helps teams work together, encourages team to learn through on a problem). According to the interviewed teachers’ opinion, the most effective methods are discussion, ICT, and round table. The “dilemma” method is the least effective according to the students. As for the teachers, the less effective method is CLIL (content and language integrated learning). Conclusions: The study showed some common views among teachers and students concerning the effectiveness of methods of teaching foreign languages for professional purposes, such as discussion and ICT. The effectiveness of the discussion method is explained by the fact that it allows the integration of students’ knowledge from different areas when solving a problem and provides an opportunity to apply language knowledge and skills into practice. This contributes to forming students’ ability to think clearly, to perceive information critically, to highlight the main idea and find the means and arguments to confirm and substantiate it, and, consequently, to improve the understanding of any theoretical material. The use of ICT in the educational process allows the efficiency of the educational process itself to be improved significantly and leads to new approaches and organizational forms of educational work. In fact, while preparing educational programs and creating didactic materials, special attention should be given to the implementation of ICT methods and discussions in educational activities. Nevertheless, the respondents’ subjective opinion should not reduce the scientific value and effectiveness of other methods of teaching a foreign language for professional purposes. The authors of the paper believe that methods that have not found much support from students and teachers should be studied more thoroughly and carefully. To this end, it could be recommended to organize special training seminars that would allow teachers to be informed of new methods of teaching foreign languages for professional purposes, of their particularities, and to help their active implementation in the learning process