SKILLED COMMUNICATION AS A NECESSARY SKILL OF THE 21st CENTURY: PLANNING EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITITES AND OPPORTUNITIES OF PROFESSION-ORIENTED FOREIGN LANGUAGE

Abstract

Introduction. The 21st century curriculum focuses on innovative teaching and learning practices, on forming and developing skills that will help the younger generation be successful in their future careers. The learning environment of the 21st century is characterized by a problematic nature, active participation of students in the educational process, students’ construction of their knowledge based on their experience under or without the guidance of a mentor, the change of the role of a teacher from the transfer of knowledge to the process of joint construction of knowledge with a student. Purpose. The aim of the study is to review innovative approaches to teaching and learning; to consider the 21st century skills that will contribute to students’ future successful careers, in general, and the skilled communication, in particular; to analyze students’ learning activities aimed at developing the skills of communication according to the rubrics of the project “Innovative teaching and learning” and the experience of the Cherkasy Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University; to determine the possibilities of the discipline “Profession-Oriented Foreign Language” in relation to the development of the skilled communication of students majoring in “Sports Physiology and Rehabilitation”; to design and analyze types of learning activities while studying profession-oriented foreign language in accordance with the codes of rubrics for the development of the skilled communication of students. Methods. We found out the attitude of the teaching staff of the University to the use of educational forms and methods of work that would promote social skill such as the skilled communication, and the attitude of students to the forms and methods of work that contribute to the development of the skilled communication. 98 representatives of the teaching staff and 109 students of various educational programs and learning stages of Cherkasy Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University took part in the survey. Results. The study of the opinion of the scientific and pedagogical staff and students of Cherkasy National University indicates the awareness of teachers and students of the importance of effective communication skills in various spheres of human life. Most teachers plan learning activities that involve more than one means or type of communication or provide students with a choice of means of communicating their ideas, as well as learning activities that encourage students to explain their ideas, support their ideas with facts or examples. Half of the teachers plan educational activities that are designed for a particular audience. The opinions and beliefs of students mostly confirm the opinion of teachers with minor differences, which may be due to insufficient explanation of the purpose and progress of a particular learning activity. Originality. We consider the possibilities of the discipline “Profession-Oriented Foreign Language” in relation to the formation and development of the skilled communication of students majoring in “Sports Physiology and Rehabilitation”. The analysis of types of learning activities aimed at developing the skilled communication of students in the study of profession-oriented foreign language allowed to develop and distribute some forms and types of education in accordance with the rubrics proposed by the project “Innovative teaching and learning”. Conclusions. Nowadays, the educational sector is characterized by innovative approaches, promoting the formation and development of students’ skills that will help them adapt to modern society and be successful in it. The analysis of types of learning activities in the study of a profession-oriented foreign language shows that this discipline has potential opportunities to develop the skilled communication as it allows to develop and distribute some forms and types of learning according to the rubrics proposed by the “Innovative Teaching and Learning” project.