Cooperative learning techniques for improving English of future security sector officers

Abstract

The article is devoted to one of the urgent problems of teaching security sector cadets to speak English.

Objective. In order to improve the level of formation of skills and abilities in speaking, we offer the use of cooperative techniques and methods of teaching speaking, precisely: Quick, quick trade, World Café Method, Timed Pair Share, and others.

Results. We have justified, developed and used these techniques in the context of training sessions to teach lexical items and the competence in speaking for security sector cadets according to STANAG – Standardized Levels of English Proficiency. The purpose of cooperative learning is to perform tasks for teaching speaking in groups, pairs, quarters. Cooperative learning contributes to better assimilation of speech material. In addition, the teacher’s teaching activity is transferred into the cadet’s educational activity. Through cooperative learning cadets learn to work in a team, support each other, correct and monitor each other when needed. The teacher takes the role of the observer. Thus, cadets acquire skills, abilities and competences in speaking and the ability to cooperate, interact face-to-face, and think critically.

Conclusions. Using cooperative methods of teaching speaking, cadets become more motivated to speak in English, everyone is a full participant in a monologue or polylogue, taking into account inclusiveness. Various methods of cooperative learning can be used at different stages for different purposes. In particular, the World Café method can be used at the final stage of learning a topic, when all cadets know the vocabulary of the topic and grammatical forms. The Quiz, quiz trade method is used at the stage of language material activation, to learn grammatical forms, vocabulary and the definitions of the words.