PROFESSIONAL METHODOLOGICAL TRAINING ACTIVITIES FOR DEVELOPING PRE-SERVICE ENGLISH TEACHERS’ PROJECT COMPETENCY

Abstract

A modern foreign language teacher is expected to practice using skillfully a variety of teaching approaches, methods, forms, techniques, and tools, including project-based learning method. Practical application of project-based instruction is emphasised in Ukrainian national educational standards and teacher training curricula. According to the Ukrainian national curriculum of external independent evaluation of in-service primary teachers’ professional development, a school teacher needs to know about the projectbased pedagogy, project-based instructional methodology, teaching techniques at project-based model steps, and be able to engage pupils into project work, make up driving questions, use Socratic discussion method, prepare project-based lesson plans, assess pupil project works, i.e. must be ready to implement project-based learning in school. In this regard, the problem of developing foreign language teachers’ project competency as an integral part of their professional methodological expertise is a current isssue. The aim of the elective course “English language teaching through pupils’ project-based learning” from the curriculum for students majoring in specialty 014 Secondary education is to familiarise preservice English teachers with the theory and practice of project-based teaching methodology and to develop their professional methodological skills of planning, organising, coordinating, and assessing pupil project works. This publication briefly describes the objectives and contents of the elective course, specifies suggested instructional types, teaching and assessment methods. Examples of theoretical and practical professional methodological training activities are given.