Foreign Language Communication Skills Research Articles

ОПТИМІЗАЦІЯ ПРОЦЕСУ НАВЧАННЯ УКРАЇНСЬКОЇ МОВИ ЯК ІНОЗЕМНОЇ ЗА ДОПОМОГОЮ МУЛЬТИМЕДІЙНИХ РЕСУРСІВ

Formulation of the problem. The issue of improving the quality of teaching Ukrainian as a foreign language is topical. The urgency of the subject is that the use of multimedia resources enriches the traditional lectures making the process of learning a language more interesting and improving the level of education of Ukrainian as a foreign language.The purpose of the article. To characterize the importance of multimedia resources when forming the communicative competence of students in the process of teaching Ukrainian as a foreign language.Research methods. In this research methods of analysis and synthesis, descriptive and empirical methods were used to find out the benefits of using multimedia resources, to form foreign language communication skills during the study of Ukrainian as a foreign language.The use of multimedia resources, especially cartoons, in the practice of teaching Ukrainian language to foreigners has a number of important advantages, namely: increasing the ability of foreign students to get acquainted with Ukrainian realities, traditions, enriching foreign students' vocabulary, improving the phonetic, grammatical, syntactic skills, improving the ability to build monologues and dialogues, creating a supportive atmosphere in the classroom, implementing the principle of educational visibility.Conclusions and perspectives. In order to better ensure the formation of students' foreign language communication skills of students while studying Ukrainian as a foreign language, it is expedient to use multimedia resources, in particular animated films, which allow observation of the unity of emotional and intellectual learning and the development of individual thinking. Perspective is the study of the use of foreign languages, as this allows foreign students to adapt to Ukrainian society and to enrich their vocabulary.

EUROPEANIZATION OF THE UKRAINIAN SYSTEM OF HIGHER PEDAGOGICAL EDUCATION THROUGH THE IMPROVEMENT OF UNDERGRADUATES’ FOREIGN LANGUAGE COMMUNICATIVE SKILLS

The article is devoted to the problem of improvement of the foreign language communicative skills of future Masters of Pedagogical Science. Special attention has been given to the issue of gradual introduction into the educational process the practice of teaching undergraduate students some academic disciplines in the English language. The authors share their successful experience of teaching undergraduates of the Physical-Mathematical and the Informational-Technological specialties general-academic disciplines in English. This practice is considered one of the effective ways to increase the students’ foreign language competence. On the example of a general-academic discipline «Methodology and Principles of Scientific Research» the authors prove the urgency and expediency of teaching certain subjects in the foreign languages to the applicants of the Master's Degree in Pedagogical Science. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate the importance of such practice and to show that teaching some general subjects in English can become a significant factor of improvement of the students’ foreign competence, which in turn contributes to the integration of the Ukrainian scientific-pedagogical community into the European academic community.

МУЛЬТИМЕДІЙНИЙ ПІДХІД У ВИКЛАДАННІ ВОЄННО-ДИПЛОМАТИЧНОГО КУРСУ АНГЛІЙСЬКОЇ МОВИ

Introduction. The introduction of the New Education Model at the Military Diplomatic Academy sets new requirements to future diplomatic staff training, implying innovations in the formation of their foreign language communication skills. According to the regulations of the Model, the would-be Masters of Command and Control are to acquire general communicative and professional communicative skills within a short period of time (two years). Therefore, the problem of finding effective pedagogical approaches to the solution of this task is extremely urgent. The implementation of the multimedia approach to teaching Military Diplomatic English makes the educational process more mobile, differentiated, individualized and interactive.Purpose. It is to analyse modern interactive teaching methods that can be combined with the multimedia approach implementation to teaching Military Diplomatic English.Methods. Analysis of the researched problem; systematization and generalization of the information obtained from the theoretical sources; methods of comparative analysis, classification, abstraction, induction and deduction.Results. It has been defined that «multimedia approach» to teaching Military Diplomatic English is to direct the educational process to mastering the educational material through the integrated use of multimedia tools and products and their interaction that is aimed at optimisation of the forms of teaching.The main methodical peculiarities of the multimedia approach are elicited and characterized in the research.Projects’ method, web-quest and web-case are proved to be the most reasonable interactive methods for Military Diplomatic English teaching, as they contribute not only to mastering students’ language skills but also to preparing for their future professional activities.Originality. A new idea of the concept «multimedia approach» within the framework of Military Diplomatic English teaching is introduced and its main methodical peculiarities are defined. The author has also made a comprehensive analysis of projects’ method, web quest and web case as they can be successfully combined with the application of the multimedia approach.Conclusion. The implementation of the multimedia approach through the systematic and organized use of interactive teaching methods (projects’ method, web quest and web case), multimedia tools and products greatly contributes to mastering language skills and forms a wide range of competencies necessary for the would-be Masters of Command and Control.Prospects for further research – development of a model for Military Diplomatic English teaching by means of multimedia approach implementation in conditions that imitate real professional communication.

Teaching resources in professionally oriented foreign language learning

This problem is important because it is necessary to improve the methodical and didactic perspective of specialists’ professional language learning process at an organization. The purpose of the article is to consider the role of a study aid as one of the methodical and didactic tools in the system of skills development. Research methods of abstract analysis, methodical and didactic sampling, modeling, forecasting were used. Significant criteria for a study aid structure have been identified to develop the personnel’s dominant foreign language communicative skills at an organization. The object of the research is study guide materials providing the process of professionally oriented language learning. The subject of the research is study aids forming the professional foreign language competence of economists and technical specialists (on the material of the German language). The study has revealed that we should abandon the idea of existence of universal, effective methods of teaching a foreign language and attempts to develop an “ideal” study aid solving all methodical and didactic problems. This applies not only to educational materials on teaching German as a foreign language, developed in Russia, but to original ones published in Germany.

Enhancing foreign language communication skills in international business environment

The article analyzes the peculiarities of enhancing written communication skills in the interethnic environment of transnational corporations. The authors explore the rhetorical and pragmalinguistic features as well as the linguistic realizations and strategies used by Russian business communicants in writing business letters in English and contrast them to the samples of business letters of native English speakers. The paper proposes recommendations for preparing managerial personnel for international business interaction in the workplace through integrating authentic models and contexts into training strategies.

Содержание обучения студентов языкового вуза грамматике на основе интернет-проектов

Content of teaching foreign languages undergoes inevitable changes in connection with introduction of information and communication technologies. Education as an integral part of life of society has to match the criteria providing high-quality teaching process, at the same time the project method allows to execute the social order of society in more practice oriented approach to teaching. The place of grammar studying in the course of teaching foreign languages was not al-ways unambiguous: there were cases when it was under or overestimated in educational process. However, it is worth mentioning that without well formed grammatical skills of foreign language communication any of the most modern information and communication technologies are not capable to yield qualitative result. We consider a problem of adequate use of Internet projects for university students’ grammatical skills formation as well as an issue of the corresponding content of teaching grammar. Teaching foreign language to students of both linguistic university and other higher educational institutes is directed to formation of all components of foreign language com-municative competence. Project activity, as well as based on it educational Internet projects allow to bring this process of teaching to higher qualitative level. We carry out and develop: a) the analysis of the scientific works devoted to the concept “grammar” and its role in the history; b) the analysis of the researches devoted to selection of subject contents for grammatical skills formation of the students’ speech; c) the author’s subject contents of teaching grammar students of linguistic universities on the basis of implementation of foreign language Internet projects.

English Language in Medical Informatics Teaching: Opinion of Students

The paper describes an interdisciplinary experience of teaching one of the modules of medical informatics in English. The interdisciplinary approach was introduced in the Ural State Medical University (USMU). During 2015–2017 academic years, the interdisciplinary team including teachers of the biomedical physics, informatics and mathematics department and foreign languages department of USMU were developing and introducing integrative classes on medical informatics in English. In total, 287 students of general medicine, pediatrics, dentistry and preventive medicine faculties participated in the survey concerning integrative training in medical informatics in English. Evaluation of both foreign language communication skills and abilities to search medical information in international databases was performed during practical studies. 76% of medical students responded positively to the opportunity to improve foreign language communication skills for professional purposes. We find it possible to develop some modules of professional disciplines in English to teach medical students.

PARTICULARITIES OF COMMUNICATIVE COMPETENCE OF FUTURE OFFICERS

In the context of the modern education the foreign language training in military educational institutions should be aimed at activation the practical application of the obtained knowledge within the conditions that need the skills of foreign language communication. The purpose of the article is to identify the features of communicative competence in the training process of future officers. Scientific methods used: theoretical, in particular, analysis and study of pedagogical, methodical and special literature, information sources on the research problem; analysis of the practice of teaching a foreign language in the preparation of future officers. The results of the study of scientific sources revealed that there are different approaches to concept of “competency” and “competence”. The concept of foreign language communication competence is considered in the context of studying a foreign language by future officers. Foreign language communication competence is understood as integral characteristic of professional activity of expert which includes the following components: - activitive, namely skills and knowledge, which direct help in the realization of the expert activities; − communicative, which consist of skills and knowledge, that allow to carry out the professional communication. Military lexis has a certain linguistic peculiarity with a rethinking of existing expressions in the military way. A significant role here is given to the peculiarities of the English-speaking authentic speech of servicemen, which is used when communicating with NATO officials. The hardest was the listening comprehension of military terminology, so much attention was paid to this kind of activity and exercises that contribute to this. Therefore, the features of communicative competence of future officers include the following aspects: language; military terminology; linguo-crosscultural. For this purpose, we introduce intensive teaching methods in foreign language classes with cadets.

Review of “A tutorial manual on the use of modern educational tools, methods and technologies for teaching foreign languages and cultures”

The publication presents a review of “A tutorial manual on the use of modern educational tools, methods and technologies for teaching foreign languages and cultures” written by Prof. Dr. Nataliia Maiier and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Olga Ustymenko for Ukrainian Master’s students majoring in specialties 035 Philology and 014 Secondary Education. The content and structure of the reviewed work are analysed. The role of the manual under review in organising undergraduates’ autonomous work on mastering special elective disciplines of professional methodological training is emphasised. The assignment of the elective disciplines “Methodology of the use of educational materials for the formation of foreign language communication skills”, “Educational tools for training teachers of foreign languages and cultures”, and “Modern educational tools for teaching foreign languages and cultures at tertiary schools” is to foster the ability of pre-service university teachers of foreign languages and cultures to perform effectively their methodological activities on choosing, selecting, creating, and applying educational materials, tools, and technologies to develop cross-cultural professional communicative competence.

THE ROLE OF EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PROCESS OF PROFESSIONALLY-ORIENTED FOREIGN LANGUAGES TEACHING

MAKSIMUK Lar y sa – Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, A ssociate P rofessor of the Foreign Languages Department, Brest State University named after A.S. Pushkin , bvd. Kosmonavtov, 21, Brest, 224016, Belarus ( flk@brsu.brest.by ) ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8163-0842 ResearcherID: http://www.researcherid.com/rid/K-9760-2018 LEVONYUK Lilia – senior lecturer of the Foreign Languages Department, Brest State University named after A.S. Pushkin , bvd. Kosmonavtov, 21, Brest, 224016, Belarus ( flk@ brsu.brest.by ) ORCID: https://orcid.org/ 0000-0002-1560-2747 ResearcherID: http://www.researcherid.com/rid/K-4500-2018 DOI: https://doi.org/10.24919/2313-2094.7/39.140936 To cite this article: Maksimuk, L., & Levonyuk, L. (2018). The role of educational technologies in the process of professionally-oriented foreign languages teaching. Liudynoznavchi studii. Seriia «Pedahohika» – Human Studies. Series of «Pedagogy», 7/39, 185‒199. doi: 10.24919/2313-2094.7/39.140936 [in English]. Article history Received: 25 March 2018 Received in revised form: 15 May 2018 Accepted: 10 July 2018 Available online: 12 September 2018 Abstract. The article is dedicated to the issues of organization of productive educational activities in foreign language teaching at non-linguistic specialties of the university with the purpose of more successful development of students’ professional foreign language communication skills and ultimate improvement of the quality of foreign language training of future specialists. It is pointed out that the improvement of the pedagogical process and its components is directly connected with the innovative activity of the teacher. One of the most important components of pedagogical process is educational technology as a system of forms, methods and means of instruction that ensure the most effective achievement of the goals set. As the article shows the use of effective educational technologies, the integration of educational process and scientific activities and the involvement of students in it, the individualization of education and upbringing, the continuous self-development and self-realization of students in educational process are the basis for ensuring a perfect quality of higher education. The article focuses on the use of different innovative educational technologies and methods in the process of foreign languages teaching, namely: communicative method, role-play game and project technologies as well as computer multimedia programs. The main object of communicative method is speech itself, that is, this technique first of all teaches students to communicate in everyday situations as well as in the situations connected with their future professional activity. A role-play game contributes not only to the formation of a professional communicative competence in a foreign language of future specialists, but also fulfills the educational function of uniting a student group. Project technologies, as the practical application proves, play an important role in the organization of independent student learning activities, since joint work on the project leads to the transfer of knowledge, stimulates independent productive activity, identifies and develops the creative abilities of each student. And, finally, the use of computer multimedia programs, gives the possibility to create a natural language environment during foreign language classes and, thereby, carry out successfully productive training of foreign language speech activity. Thus, the practical application of the results of the conducted research allows making a conclusion that purposeful and systematic use of innovative pedagogical technologies in the educational process helps to form the basic structural components of students’ speech activity in a foreign language. Acknowledgments. Sincere thanks to pedagogical staff at the Foreign Languages Department of Brest State University named after A.S. Pushkin. Funding. The author received no financial support for the research and publication of this article.

CONSTRUCTIVE FORMATION OF SKILLS OF PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION IN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE AT STUDENTS: REASONING OF PEDAGOGICAL CONDITIONS

The article specifies the meaningful content of the concepts "condition", "pedagogical conditions" and "formation". The theoretical analysis of scientific sources is made. The results of the diagnostics, the specifics of training, the requirements for the professional training of future mariners, scientific notions about the pedagogical conditions of education in a higher education and the formation of skills of professional foreign language communication, self-reflection of experience in the field of teaching professional communication in English are taken into account. The definition of pedagogical conditions as a content core of an experimental model of formation in a higher school of skills of professional communication in a foreign language at students is theoretically substantiated and given.

Международный язык общения как средство профориентации школьников

The study explains the importance of intercultural communication in the modern political and economic situation in the world. The English language plays the leading role in the career self-determination of school students. English as a means of intercultural communication affects the perception of students’ view of life and the process of their self-identification which requires the intercultural competence development. English lessons can solve the problems of vocational education and training. Mastering the skills of foreign-language communication serves as a basis for the professional development of the student’s personality. Foreign language, like any other general educational subject, can and has to be a means of career guidance for students that helps address the issues influencing the professional development of the student’s personality. Vocationally oriented language learning (VOLL) is caused by the nature of interdisciplinary relationships of a foreign language with natural science, humanities, physics and mathematics courses.

A SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION. PRACTICING THE METHOD OF VIRTUAL CROSS-CULTURAL INTERACTION: INNOVATION OR ROUTINE?

The current situation in the global arena may be characterized as a rapidly changing process with new trends appearing. This situation is not a problem for the young generation which has many different names, such as the “Net Generation”, “Digital Natives”, “Y” and/or “X” Generation, etc. As a matter of fact, these modern names are closely associated withhigh consumption of virtual media, such as the Internet. A great majority of young individuals perceive their own existence mainly in the virtual space. Thus, themodern approachto communication demonstrated by the young generation cannot be refuted by any educationalinstitution or governmental body which are involved invarious processes of policy creation and regulation of modern societal norms. The educational system can be referred to as a priority in the entire world, because newly educated and trained specialists take an active part in the processesof economic, political, education, etc. development aiming to create a positive image of their country in the world. Multilingualism is part ofthe daily life due to the provided ability to communicate atan international level. New opportunities, such as travelling or jobsand studies abroad, expand people's horizons and demand new skills. A second language is amustin the contemporary world. Language acquisition is more efficient when innovations are integrated into the educational field. This article aims at revealingthe methods of practice ofvirtual cross-cultural interaction facilitating the acquisition and development of the foreign language communication skills. The conducted survey suggests thatvirtual cross-cultural interaction is an innovative routine acknowledged by every respondent, andallthe positive aspects are clearly and indisputably presented by the survey participants.

COMMUNICATION-CENTERED APPROACH TO TEACHING FOREIGN LANGUAGES IN NON-LINGUISTIC UNIVERSITIES

The article deals with the process of realization of the communication-centered approach to the study of foreign languages of the students of non-linguistic specialties. It consists in the modeling of the basic regularities of foreign language communication taking into consideration their professional needs The main conditions of the communicative organization of foreign language classes have been analyzed: the foreign language speech orientation of the educational process, which consists in the practical application of the target foreign language; the learning functionality that includes the methods allowing the most effective acquisition of lexical units and grammatical structures in speech; the situational learning that permits to coordinate the educational material with the professional orientation of students; the novelty of the educational material, consisting in the continuous updating of the material studied; taking into account the individual characteristics of each student. The emphasis has been placed on the fact that the communication-centered approach to the study of foreign languages contributes to the maximum immersion of a student into the foreign speech activity. It has been shown that the communication-centered approach to the study of foreign languages involves the formation of students’ skills and abilities of the adequate perception of foreign language speech and expression of their own opinions in the foreign language according to the specific situation. The peculiarities of the formation of foreign-language communicative competence of students of non-linguistic specialties as mastering special linguistic means and non-verbal aspects of the studied language have been revealed. It has been proved that the development of foreign language communication skills of students of non-linguistic specialities is successfully realized in business communication training, which combines the foreign language knowledge and special scientific skills as well. They contribute to the formation of the productive professional language skills of students. Some of the most effective types of communicative activities (conditional conversation, discussion, commentary, dramatization, business game) and techniques (work in pairs, group work and cooperative learning) have been analyzed. The conclusion about the necessity of using the communication-centered approach to teaching foreign languages in a non-linguistic university has been made. It maximally brings the learning process to a real linguistic situation, developing the professional communication, sociolinguistic, socio-cultural competences of students.

DEBATES AS A TYPE OF DISCUSSION IN ENGLISH TEACHING FOR TECHNICAL STUDENTS

One of the ways to develop students' foreign language communication competence is using debates. The work presents the analysis of debates as a type of discussion in English teaching for students in higher technical universities. The relevant topics of debates in the educational, technical and scientific, professionally oriented spheres are outlined. Debates are analyzed according to the following criteria: conditions of communication, quantity of participants, the aim of communication, and the nature of the situation. It is possible to differentiate debates in accordance with the form of presentation, the participants involved in the discussion, the place of organization, division of opinions, involved spheres, priority of types of speech activity, control and function. Foreign language communicative, compensatory, intellectual, training and organizational skills are defined. The acceptable styles of debates for technical students are outlined; the evaluation of debates is considered.

Improving the Quality of Technical and Vocational Education in Slovakia for European Labour Market Needs

Technical and vocational education and training (TVET) makes a significant contribution to economic competitiveness and welfare in a global knowledge-based economy. The main challenge for vocational education and training is to meet the changing skills needs of individuals and the world of work in accordance with the principle of lifelong learning. Since the demand for new skilled workers is increasing, and the TVET customer base is constantly diversifying, it is necessary to increase awareness of the key role played by education and training in economic competitiveness and social inclusion. As in other EU countries, quality assurance in Slovakia plays a decisive role in modernising education and training systems and in improving their performance and attractiveness. These objectives are widely shared by the Ministry of Education of the Slovak Republic. Education and training systems are being modernised and transformed in terms of more effective management systems and quality assurance. The paper responds to current situation and deficiencies in the educational system of technical and vocational secondary schools in Slovakia in training of qualified workforce for the local and global labour markets. Authors introduces the project "Model for improving the quality of graduates and job applicants in the European labour market" elaborated and submitted by the two Slovak institutions of higher education - Dubnica Institute of Technology in Dubnica nad Váhom and the University of SS. Cyril and Methodius in Trnava, Slovakia. Both institutions are characterized by an experienced staff in the field of educational research. The project aims to the development of a model for improving the quality of graduates and job applicants in European labour market. It focuses on graduates of secondary vocational schools in Slovakia and the acquisition and improvement of their key competences. The pilot stage of the Project deals with theoretical background of quality assurance and specifics of its application in the area of technical and vocational education. In further stage, the project deals with a model for improving the quality of graduates and job applicants, in particular by the application of the elements of the foreign language communication skills improvement, increasing the computer literacy and enhancing the quality of teaching technical and vocational subjects of the target group. The importance of clear concise communication is often overlooked by the typical engineer and scientist. Based on the research findings, the paper emphasises the importance of communication skills in training students for technical and engineering professions. The author provides research findings in analysis of the most common mistakes in preparing PowerPoint slides, and in giving oral presentations. He shows practical outcomes and methodology for proper communication training. The published findings would help teachers of engineering and science subjects to find the way to implement communication and presentation skills into technical subjects, as well as to increase efficiency of their technical presentations in educational process.

Puntos fuertes y débiles en la formación por competencias según los egresados del SENA

The target of the research is descriptive exploratory analysis of the skills that graduates of the SENA considered strengths or weaknesses in their studies. To do the results based on a sample of 161 graduates into twelve areas are described, five of them being statistically significant. The results show that graduates say as strengths of their studies skills related to traditional teaching methods and knowledge, analytical skills and learning and teamwork. By contrast, the skills related to communication skills in foreign languages, and leadership skills are revealed as weaknesses in technological studies.

Developing Presentation Skills in the English Language Courses for the Engineering Students of the 21st Century Knowledge Society: A Methodological Approach

Acknowledging the importance of developing the engineering students’ foreign language competence and communication skills for succeeding in their career in the 21st century knowledge society, this paper shows that teaching and learning presentation skills in the English language courses and seminars in a technical university in Romania will help the students to reach their career goals. Knowing the rules of giving an effective academic, technical or business presentation and gaining experience in preparing and delivering such presentations within the English language courses represent the prerequisites for successful communication for career purposes in our society.

Réflexion sur les facteurs d'augmentation du nombre d'étudiants de sexe masculin à l'École d'interprétation et de traduction de l'Université Hanguk des Études Étrangères

A comparative analysis of the total number of admissions to the Graduate School of Interpretation & Translation (GSIT) at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS) revealed that the number of male students drastically increased during certain years. A statistical analysis of GSIT total admissions at HUFS indicated that there is a correlation between the increased number of male students and job landing difficulties due to heightened unemployment following economic recession. In particular, the number of male students admitted to GSIT soared during the years when unemployment sky-rocketed due to economic recession. The first such instance occurred in 1999 following the Asian financial crisis when unemployment reached record highs, and the second occurrence was in 2014, when the unemployment rate was at its peak following another economic downturn.Since job seekers believe that the ability to communicate in foreign languages is a major requirement for gainful employment, they consider GSIT an option to improve their communication skills in foreign languages. Consequently, the number of male students attending GSIT increases when unemployment rates rise during economic recessions. Thus, it can be concluded that a functional relationship exists between economic recession and increasing numbers of male applicants to GSIT.

Integration of Web 2.0 Technologies into the Process of Students’ Self-Directed English Learning

The recent study of the integration of Web 2.0 technologies effect on students’ self-directed English learning and critical thinking skills updates the results and findings reported by the researches in this field. The purposes of this article is to analyze what constitutes the integration of Web 2.0 technologies into the process of students’ self-directed English learning, to show what Web 2.0 tools can be used reasonably to intensify the students’ motivation which results in the deliberate self-directed learning, and to elaborate upon various theories and researches concerning Web 2.0 technologies. The paper shows the real evidence of the development of foreign language communicative competences and skills including: reading, listening, speaking and critical thinking through such tools as podcasts, wiki and video online and offline, collaboration with one another in the form of peer review, self-reflection and making a blog. It was that concluded that it is necessary to develop and practice pedagogy and instructional strategy, along with the use of Web 2.0 technologies in order to achieve increased students’ performance and efficiency of students’ self-directed learning. It is to be emphasized that the specified problem needs further research to analyze the ways in fostering and benefiting student learning through Web 2.0 tools. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n2p541