The paper presents the result of a research into the issue of four-phase method of ESP listening using a topic-based dialogue-interview which contributes to the development of communicative competence of IR students of Saint Petersburg State University. Different aspects of the issue are studied through an attempt to identify students’ difficulties in ESP listening and the role of sociocultural component in four-phase ESP listening method. The effectiveness of four-phase method of ESP listening is evaluated by means of a survey conducted among students of International Relations Faculty of Saint Petersburg State University. The survey demonstrates that four-phase method of ESP listening contributes to eliminate lexical and sociocultural unawareness and develop communicative competence.