Implementation of Concept Maps to Improve Foreign Communicative Competence of Future Specialists

Досліджено розвиток та вдосконалення іншомовної комунікативної компетентності майбутніх фахівців за допомогою використання створених ними концептуальних карт. З’ясовано сутність терміна «іншомовна комунікативна компетенція» та шляхи її вдосконалення. Охарактеризовано принципи використання концептуальних карт у процесі навчання іноземної мови. Визначено їхню роль у підвищенні англомовної комунікативної компетентності студентів вишів. Зроблено висновок, що розробка концептуальних карт англійською мовою є ефективним наочним методом навчання, який допомагає студентам обговорити будь-яку іншомовну тему і продуктивно мислити.The development and improvement of foreign language communicative competence of future specialists using concept maps created by them are studied. The essence of the term «foreign language communicative competence» and the ways to improve it are determined. The principles of the use of concept maps in learning a foreign language are characterized. And their role in increasing the English language communicative competence of students of higher schools is defined. It is concluded that the development of concept maps in English is an effective visual method of teaching that helps students to discuss any foreign topic and develop productive thinking. If the concept maps are created correctly and clearly they’ll become a powerful tool for students to achieve high-level cognitive activities. The concept map for a teacher is not just a learning tool, but also an ideal way to evaluate achievements and knowledge of students. When students create concept maps they repeat the concepts using their own words and compare wrong ideas and concepts. Teachers are able to see what the students do not understand, providing accurate, objective way to evaluate those fields of knowledge in which students do not fully understand the concept. Computer programming as Inspiration Software®’s Inspiration®, Kidspiration® and Webspiration Classroom™ contain all kinds of diagrams and this helps students to create concept maps easily and give opportunities to add new concepts and connect them as they want to do it. In addition, the program Inspiration, Kidspiration and Webspiration Classroom consist of various examples of concept maps, templates and lesson plans to show the user how the mapping and the use of other graphic organizers can be easily integrated into the curriculum to increase learning, understanding and writing skills. Students working with foreign language lexical material gain knowledge and acquire lexical skills to the development of language ones (through the formation of lexical skills). Studying certain English concepts, it is observed the development of student working skills with lexical material (the more operations are performed with the word, the better it is remembered, but it is primarily a prerequisite for further interactive communicative activity), after which they have the ability to use mastered lexemes in speech activity. Working with concept maps allows teachers to monitor students’ thinking process regarding specific English topics. The teacher can also find out the previous level of students’ knowledge and how they understand a foreign language material that are taught by proposing them to create the concept map in foreign language