Features of foreign competency formation when preparing for international language exams at the School of Foreign Languages

Abstract

The article is devoted to the study of the structure of international language exams on example of the PEIC (PTE) test by “Pearson plc” which can be taken at the International Language Certification Centre of V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University. Special attention is paid to the necessity to make appropriate changes to the current Educational Curriculum of English as the major for students of the pedagogical (philological) and translation studies departments. The methodological basis of the study includes general scientific methods, special attention is paid to the case method, because the authors have experience in organizing, compiling and training for international language exams. This paper aims at presenting a range of tasks of PEIC (PTE) and guidelines for adjusting the current Educational Curriculum as well as the process of potential implementation into the framework of the Educational Curriculum exercises that can condition success in passing international exams. The object matters of the research are peculiar tasks of the international language exam PEIC (PTE) as well as exercises from the textbooks of the School of Foreign Languages which make up the body of empirical material comprising 104 units. The subject matter of analysis was the character of these exercises. The topicality of the work is accounted for by lack of comprehensive scientific research in this area in Ukraine as it is intensified by the significant interest of senior students in obtaining an international certificate. The study found that the PEIC (PTE) exam has two main structural elements: written and oral ones. Thus, their integration into the current Educational Curriculum is proposed in this study by offering some adjustments to the aspects of "Oral Practice" and "Analytical Reading" while teaching at the School.