FORMATION OF LANGUAGE AND COMMUNICATION COMPETENCE AS A KEY COMPONENT OF FUTURE SPECIALISTS’ SOFT SKILLS

Abstract

The article examines the role of soft skills in the training of future specialists, focusing on the development of language and communicative competence in higher education. The study aims to identify effective pedagogical conditions and methods for fostering students’ communicative abilities and to clarify the place of soft skills within modern professional competence. The research relies on an interdisciplinary approach that integrates pedagogical, psychological, linguistic, and general scientific perspectives. The methodology includes analysis of academic sources, synthesis of theoretical concepts, and comparison of Ukrainian and international practices. The study’s novelty lies in interpreting communicative competence not only as knowledge of linguistic norms but as the ability to apply language consciously and creatively in professional settings. The findings show that communicative competence forms the basis for other soft skills, such as critical thinking, emotional intelligence, creativity, teamwork, and time management. The article also systematizes approaches to embedding soft skills development in Ukrainian higher education, considering the conditions of distance and blended learning. The conclusions emphasize that the systematic and continuous development of soft skills enhances students’ communicative culture and increases their competitiveness in the labor market.