English Linguistic Competencies Formation through Specially Designed Border Guards’ Practical Training

Abstract

The current study inquires about the cadets’ practical training in their primary positions as interpreters/translators. The research is focused on efficient on-the-job training and its organizational procedures for the competence and competency-based approaches. The aim of the practical training of the cadets who study by Philology specialty is to apply English as a foreign language in service situations concerning language immersion and translating issues in the law-enforcement sphere. Needs analysis conducted by the Foreign Languages Department instructors testified to the great significance of the on-the-job training. The Academy’s graduates were interviewed to specify the duties and skills required for their job performance and reveal the gaps in the academic study of the cadets by Philology specialty. For this reason, practical training in linguistics was developed to bring theory and practice together, to improve and foreground the theoretical knowledge through true-to-life task completion. Competencies analysis was made concerning higher education standards by specialty 035 Philology for the first (Bachelor’s) level of higher education established by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, and the relevant ones were selected. Twenty-two cadets of the Academy have undergone practical training in their would-be primary positions. It is expected that the cadets will be provided with relevant experience in the position of an interpreter/translator of the Division of International Cooperation and Border Representative Work and get essential links to the content of the future service. The consequent research will concern the practical training results verification based on their defense presentation assessment.