KEY MODELS AND METHODS OF LEARNING ENGLISH IN THE SYSTEM OF ADULT EDUCATION IN THE USA

Abstract

The article deals with models and methods of teaching English, which are applied at American colleges and are the basis of effective pedagogical process. The following methods were applied: historical-genetic analysis, structural-functional analysis, structural-logical analysis, system-structural analysis, comparative anlysis. It was demonstrated that the most widely spread models of learning English are those of D. Boadmodel, J. Mezirov and D.Kolb. Transformational learning model helps to develop skills to create correlation between educational problem and skills that are necessary for its solution. These models function due to taking into account professional and functional experience of adult students and contain the following stages: taking into account previous experience, analysis of senses, which are associated with previous educational experience, analysis of senses at the end of educational process. These models are aimed at application of previous experience as a source of knowledge. It was substantiated that in andragogical models, pedagogical process is conducted due to regulating not external, but internal factors such as level of students’ activity in planning, organizing and conducting educational process. The main stages of D. Kolb’s model are concrete experience, mirror observation, abstract conceptualization and active experiment. Transformational learning presupposes searching for several solutions of educational problem, taking itno account previous educational experience. There is a conscious perception of educational process and searching for the most effective solution of the problem. It was highlighted that high level of transformational learning efficacy is achieved due to combiningf instrumental, communicative and creative directions of educational process. Communicative direction presupposes skills to communicate with other people. Creative direction presupposes development of creative skills. The main stages of J. Mezirov model are: identification of educational problem, conducting self-analysis, conducting critical assessment, finding alternative ways of problem solution, development a plan of action, getting needed skills, practical checking the level of needed skills formation, formation of competences, formatin of educational perspectives. Technology of interactive learning is viewed by scientists as one, which is based on the interaction between members of educational process. The main principles of learning English are dominating function of self-learning, subjective cooperation between members of educational process, taking into account professional and social experience of educational process members, individualization, contextuality and actualization of educational process, development of educational needs, reflexive studyng. The main methods of learning English are discussion, collective solution of creative assignments, project method, play methods, coaching, studing in small groups, story-telling, narrative method. The main stages of educational process in colleges are: preparation to self-directed learning, which promotes positive learning motivation; developing positive educational climate; analysis and taking into account students’ educational needs; singling out the aim of educational process; creating cooperation conditions in educational process; conducting educational process, the level of efficacy of which depends on methods and forms of teaching; identifying results of educational process