SOME ASPECTS OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE COMPETENCE DEVELOPMENT IN THE SYSTEM OF CONTINUED PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION

Abstract

Introduction. The system of continued professional education in modern Russia is aimed at raising the level of professional workers’ ability for competition at the global vocational market. Among the most required competences we put an emphasis on the ability for efficient communication in the native and foreign languages pursuing social, cultural and professional interaction. The practical experience proves that students of various courses of study within the system of continued professional education have difficulties while communicating in a foreign language because of a low level of their foreign language communication competence that is based on ability for decoding and producing a discourse. Aim. The article considers the factors to develop students’ ability for decoding and producing a discourse in the format of reflexive positional discussion. Methodology and research methods. Development of the advanced and high level of foreign language competence is possible via introduction of institutional discursive practices into the educational process. Development of foreign language competence in the system of continued professional education is being discussed from the point of synergy of pedagogical science and applied linguistics. System-synergetic, communicative-activity, discursive and technological approaches have been chosen as the methodological base to develop the system of criteria of students’ preparedness and ability to communicate in a foreign language. Methods of analysis and synthesis have been used during the work as well. Results and scientific novelty. The materials presented in the publication make a contribution to the theory and methodology of continued professional education regarding effective experts’ foreign language mastering, and skills acquisition for the most productive interpersonal and professional-oriented communication. Methodologically-based definition and description of the components of subject and structure of the concept of discursive foreign language competence are given. The educational technique that makes it possible to realize a wide range of discursive practices invariants has been developed. The algorithm for advanced and high level of discursive competence development has been described. The criteria of students’ preparedness and ability to communicate in a foreign language have been described as well as the marks related to the levels of developed discursive foreign language competence. Practical significance. The author's proposed technology enables to realize a wide range of invariants of the discursive practices and considerably increases the possibilities of effective foreign language training for specialists of various branches of economy and production, and pupils of different levels of training. The presented research results can be used when developing educational and methodical complexes in the systems of professional development and continued professional education.