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Lilia A. Metelkova

National Research Moscow State University of Civil Engineering, Russia

 

Marina A. Isaeva

Valentina Yu. Kirillova

Chuvash State University named after I.N. Ulyanova, Russia

 

Alla G. Sokolova

National Research Moscow State University of Civil Engineering, Russia

 

Abstract

The article addresses the issue of the contextual approach application to formation of foreign language communicative competence in future specialists exemplified by the students majoring in economics. Currently, in higher educational institutions the traditional emphasis is placed on acquiring theoretical knowledge at the expense of practical skills development that leads to imbalance demonstrated by the graduates struggling to apply theoretical knowledge effectively in professional settings. According to the contextual approach, teaching-learning process is taken as a situation simulating a professional activity and developing business communication. Having based their hypothesis on the theoretical foundations of Integrated Professional Communicative Competence (IPCC) formation, the authors conducted an experimental study aimed at investigating the demands of future economists with foreign language proficiency, evaluating the existing system of IPCC formation, implementing the proposed course model in practice, and analyzing the dynamic of the various indicators of IPCC formation. The authors identified the principal conditions for model’s implementation that include real world problem situations arising through professional activity of future economists, collaborative groups activity of students focused on problem-solving and based on the competitive nature of group work. It was stated that group success can be achieved provided the collective effort and active participation of all members. Being involved in the simulated context of future professional activity within the framework of the educational process, the learners can implement their course of actions and behavior for future professional activity.

 

Keywords

Integrated professional communicative competence, foreign language teaching, higher education, problem solving, emotional intelligence