Soft Skills Formation during Professional-Oriented Teaching of Foreign Language to Higher Education Seekers

Abstract

Under the conditions of a fundamental paradigm shift in education, transition to interactive learning strategies, search for alternative forms in the educational process, new directions and educational ways of learning are stimulated, which are designed to develop not only professional skills but also soft skills as universal competences for the education of a qualified employee in modern labor markets, ability to solve complex problems, carry out effective work in a team. This article aims to analyze the meaning and characteristics of soft skills for candidates for higher education, as well as to characterize the extent of formation of this type of skills in the process of professionally-oriented foreign language teaching. Methodology. International research data, scientific periodicals, questionnaires, and research methods of soft skills development were used during the research. Results. In the course of this research, the data on soft skills needed by employers, namely the heads of international companies represented in Ukraine, were obtained. Besides, the opinion of international HEIs leaders concerning the level of students' soft skills development was studied, and the questionnaire survey of students was conducted. It allowed us to point out the soft skills which are currently paid less attention than the needs. The results of this study are of significant importance for further methodological development of this type of skill in higher education.