In the article the relevance of the research topic is the need to develop methods for the problems of social and environmental education of students. Reveals the etymology of the concept of "method" is considered its essence in the works of various scientists: teachers, psychologists, ecologists, and, on the steps not only common, but also of higher education. The results of the analysis of the achievements of research allowed to define the essence of one of the main components of the social and environmental education of students - the methods of interaction of the teacher and students.