ENGLISH AS A MEANS OF PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION IN AN ENGINEERING AND PEDAGOGICAL ENVIRONMENT: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Abstract

The article is devoted to the study of the importance of English as a key tool for professional communication in the modern engineering and pedagogical environment. In the context of globalisation and international integration, where scientific and technological progress and the exchange of knowledge are becoming transnational, English language skills are becoming an essential prerequisite for the successful professional activity of engineering and teaching staff.The article discusses in detail the role of English in providing access to the latest scientific publications, technical documentation, participation in international conferences, seminars and other forms of information exchange. It emphasises that English is the language of international communication in the field of science and technology, which makes its knowledge crucial for engineers and teachers who want to keep abreast of the latest achievements in science and technology.Particular attention is paid to analysing the importance of English for establishing international contacts, participating in joint research projects, and exchanging experiences and ideas with colleagues from different countries. The author stresses that English language skills help to broaden professional horizons, establish partnerships with foreign educational and research institutions, and open up opportunities for international academic mobility.The article also discusses the impact of learning English on the development of engineers’ and teachers’ cognitive skills, such as critical thinking, analytical skills, problem solving and generating new ideas. The author notes that English language skills contribute to the development of intercultural competence, which is an important factor for successful professional activity in a multicultural and multilingual world.The article also analyses the problems associated with the use of English in the engineering and educational environment, such as insufficient language skills, difficulties in understanding technical terminology, language barriers, etc. The article suggests ways to solve these problems, in particular by improving English language training programmes for engineering and pedagogical staff, using modern teaching methods, creating conditions for practising communication in English, etc.