Abstract: The subject of the research is the modes of teaching business English through literature pieces specifically related to a typical business environment, word stock and terminology. The purpose of this article is to describe the role of literary arts aimed at improving students’ language competences by providing them with the opportunity to acquire language and business skills through exploring fictional situations and future profession-related topics. The research methods include analysis and generalization of learner-centered teaching approaches, observation, questionnaire survey and empirical studies based on the complex interconnection of culture and literature. This article presents results of the research that involved 120 learners of the 3rd year of Plekhanov Russian University of Economics. The research involved a survey based on the authors' tailored literary extracts focusing on economic insights and linguistic features which proof the utmost importance and novelty of the theme under study. The results of the research demonstrate positive effect of reading and analyzing literature items which enhance language skills, develop critical and analytical thinking abilities to perceive economic thoughts of diverse generations and cultures. The authors conclude that learners, who have achieved a particular level in their professional sphere and master business English, find it encouraging not only to get acquainted with the literary heritage, but also share increased level of commitment in studying humanities.

Abstract: The subject of the research is the phenomenon of magic realism, creation and development of magic realism traditions in literary practice of African American writers. The author of the article views magic realism as a peculiar type of creative thinking developed in Western literature of the 20th century that was especially expressed in writings of Charles Chestnutt, Zora Hurston, Alice Walker, Naylor and Toni Morrison as those writers used peculiar expressive means and methods synthesizing the 'magical' and real events in their stories. The methods used in the course of the research included: comparative historical, systems approach principles to study cultural and literary phenomena, and comprehensive analysis of a literary text. The main conclusion of the research is taht the author defines specific features of African American creative thinking that determined the unique nature of magic realism traditions in the writings of black writers. The novelty of the research is caused by the fact that the author extends the scope of interpretation of magic realism exceeding the borders of the Latin American phenomenon and carries out an in-depth analysis of magic realism development in creative writings of African American authors.