INTEGRATIVE SEMANTIC MAP AS AN ILLUSTRATIVE AND SCHEMATIC BASIS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PROFESSIONALLY SIGNIFICANT ENGLISH-LANGUAGE THESAURUS OF THE THEMATIC FIELD “LAW”

Abstract

The authors of the article consider integrative semantic mapping as an illustrative and schematic basis for the law students’ development of a professionally oriented English-language thesaurus of the topical field “Law”. The aim of the research is to study further development of professional and communicative English-language competence which allows ensuring the implementation of pragmatic and professional communicative tasks in simulated situations of entering into legal relationship by the students.
 Methodology. The methodological framework for the research is the cognitive and generalizing methods, such as the theoretical analysis of research works in linguodidactics, pedagogy, cognitive linguistics, and the prognostic methods. The research material was an educational and methodological complex on the discipline “Legal English”, used as part of the Bachelor’s degree program 40.03.01 “Jurisprudence”.
 Results. The paper analyzes an algorithm for the development of abilities and skills of linguo-cognitive processing of professionally significative highly legal English texts of a static nature (for intermediate and upper-intermediate students), and English-language videos of a dynamic nature of the genre “courtroom drama” (for advanced and proficient students) using integrative semantic maps. Analyzing their application features allows us to emphasize their main function, which consists in optimizing the development of information about the law enforcement and legal proceedings in English-speaking countries, necessary for the effective intercultural communication of future practitioners in various branches of law.
 Conclusion. Forming and developing the English-language thesaurus of a professional lawyer is one of important areas of modern linguodidactics. It has been proved that the optimization of this process has become possible thanks to the use of new learning technologies, in particular, integrative semantic mapping as a tool for verbalization of acquired knowledge, which allows consciously applying cognitively mastered information, competently verbalizing it in intercultural professional communication, preventing and eliminating possible communication failures.