METHODOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF DEVELOPING FOREIGN LANGUAGE COMMUNICATIVE COMPETENCE IN FUTURE GERMAN LANGUAGE TEACHERS PURSUING A MASTER’S DEGREE

Abstract

Purpose: to identify and substantiate methodological approaches and technologies for developing foreignlanguage communicative competence in future foreign language teachers, including the German languageteachers pursuing a Master’s Degree at higher education institutions of Ukraine and worldwide. Methods:theoretical analysis of scientific literature in pedagogy and foreign language teaching methodology, synthesisof pedagogical concepts of language competence development, comparative analysis of international language training standards (CEFR), investigation and critical analysis of pedagogical experience in training foreignlanguage teachers, detailed study of modern methodological approaches to foreign language teaching inMaster’s programs, research and implementation of innovative technologies for developing communicativeskills and competencies. Results: it was established that effective development of communicative competenceamong Master’s Degree students is based on complex integration of communicative approach, task-basedlearning and problem-based learning methods, and systematic development of intercultural competence inprofessional context. The expediency of applying problem-based learning for stimulating critical thinking,activating learning motivation, and developing hard professional skills in the context of business foreign languagestudy and communication was substantiated. The dual nature of Master’s Degree students’ communicativecompetence development was revealed which includes two major components: first, the development of theirown competence at personal level, and second, the simultaneous preparation of methodological basis for theirpedagogical competence empowering them to share such a competence with their future students. It wasfound that intercultural competence development remains the important and priority component of futureteachers’ training in the context of globalization of education systems and European integration of Ukraine.Conclusions: the implementation of comprehensive and scientifically substantiated methodological systemfor Master’s Degree training clearly oriented toward CEFR and modern innovative methodological approacheswill significantly improve quality and effectiveness of future teachers’ professional training in foreign languageteaching, including the German language teaching. Further research should be focused on the experimentalverification of developed recommendations in practice at various higher education institutions and onthe development of adaptive and differentiated methods for teaching various categories of Master’s Degreestudents based on their individual needs, goals, and learning.