Developing Linguistic and Professional Competence: Business Ukrainian On-line

The study focuses on the potential of technology tools in language learning for professional purposes. The premise is that language learning constitutes a process of learners’ socialization into an L2 socio-cultural community with students viewed as participants in this community through their exposure to authentic environments. The analysis unfolds within the discussion of the three As: Attention, Assistance and Awareness in the process of teaching and acquisition of professional socio-cultural competence by students of Business Ukrainian via CALL activities. These activities are designed around various tasks that are linked to a potential increase in students’ engagement in the virtual professional space and to students’ acquisition of not only language proficiency, but also professional competence. The on-line Business Ukrainian is analyzed as a technologically enhanced authentic simulation, which allows the learners to participate in the virtual environment and enables them to grow into confident participants of the authentic professional community