ENHANCING CADETS’ COMMUNICATIVE COMPETENCE IN ENGLISH THROUGH THE USE OF ONLINE APPLICATIONS

Abstract

The article addresses the development of foreign language communicative competence among cadets in military higher education. The focus is on the digitalization of education. It covers the theoretical basis of using information and communication technologies in language teaching. It also examines the structure and essence of cadets’ communicative competence. The study overviews trends in using online applications to improve English learning in the military. The relevance of the article is determined by the need to modernize military education in Ukraine and to cultivate a culture of professional communication in the context of digital transformation. A 21st-century military professional must be prepared for interaction in a hybrid environment – both offline and online – using digital platforms, video communication, and electronic information resources. The ability to communicate competently and safely in English in such an environment is a prerequisite for effective interaction with international partners, increasing the operational coherence of units, and strengthening the international image of Ukraine’s security forces. At the same time, the pedagogical potential of online applications as a means of developing cadets’ foreign language communicative competence remains insufficiently explored, which defines the problem addressed in this article. The article analyzes the theoretical foundations of foreign language competence development in contemporary pedagogical science. Pedagogical conditions for the integration of online applications into the educational process are justified, including the implementation of a communicative-activity approach, the creation of an interactive learning environment, and the use of authentic materials and digital platforms (Quizlet, Kahoot, BBC Learning English, YouGlish). A model for the technology of developing cadets’ foreign language communicative competence through the integration of online applications in English language learning is proposed, combining classroom, extracurricular, and independent work. The article presents the results of a pedagogical experiment conducted at the Kyiv Institute of the National Guard of Ukraine, which confirms the effectiveness of the proposed methodology. It was found that the integration of online applications combined with the communicative-activity approach contributes to an increase in English proficiency, the development of speaking and listening skills, growth in learning motivation, and the activation of professional foreign language communication among cadets.