Relevance. The relevance of the study is conditioned by the fact that the problem of improving the quality of education through the development of the intellectual activity of each student, who must constantly be in the conditions of innovative and cognitive search, and in the process of professional training must master not only professional competencies, but also learn how to creatively apply them in industrial and social practices, comes to the fore today. Purpose. The purpose of this study is a conceptual analysis of the mental essence of the concept of "intellectual activity" in the format of a mind map and identification based on conceptual dominants that can be used to model a methodological system for the development of intellectual activity in the process of vocational training. Methodology. The use of conventional methods and technologies has exhausted its possibilities, especially in the context of online learning. In this regard, it became necessary to revise the usual teaching methods and find more effective ones, using all the technical capabilities of the distance learning format to trigger the intellectual activity of students, in particular philologists. Results. This paper presents the results of the study of the content and mechanisms of internal and external intellectual activity of the subject of teaching, the understanding of which would allow teachers to effectively organise the educational process. Conclusions. The significance of this study lies in the fact that based on the generalisation of conceptual information about the mental essence of the concept of "intellectual activity", a methodological model for the development of professional competencies of future philologists through the intensification of their intellectual activity has been developed. The scientific originality of the study is determined by the creation of a methodological model for the development of intellectual activity and its approbation in the process of creating an electronic course.