THE USE OF GROUP WORK IN LEARNING THE UKRAINIAN LANGUAGE AS A FOREIGN BY STUDENTS OF HIGHER MEDICAL EDUCATION: THEORETICAL ANALYSIS

The article reveals the problem of using group methods of work in learning the Ukrainian language as a foreign language by students of higher education in the medical profession. A scientific analysis of modern requests to the future specialist, the system of his skills from the point of view of the competence approach was carried out. The concept of soft skills and its role in the a modern specialist functioning are described.The specifics of the soft skills formation during the study of the Ukrainian language as a foreign language among students of higher education in the medical profession are presented. Attention is focused on the need to create real communication situations in order to develop foreign language speaking skills.The concept of group work in learning the Ukrainian language as a foreign language in higher education is presented, its general didactic principles of application are described in accordance with the competence and dialogic approaches. Attention is focused on the activity of students of higher education during the application of group forms of work, their possibility of inclusion in communicative situations, ensuring real interactivity during work in microgroups. The advantages of group work in language learning are described ‒ the ability to ensure the reproduction of situations of real communicative interaction, the provision of an emotionally favorable atmosphere, the modification of methods of monitoring success and the system of roles of the teacher and the student of highereducation in the educational process.The didactic principles of the possible division of higher education students into microgroups for optimal provision of the educational process are described. It’s find out that during the group work, all students take an active position, being in improvised situations of real communicative interaction; have the opportunity to improve their speaking skills in Ukrainian as a foreign language. Keywords: group work; pair work; Ukrainian language as a foreign language; reproduction of real communication situations; interactivity of pedagogical communication; advantages of group work; soft skills; dialogicity.