The influence of professional texts in English on studying terminological vocabulary by students of non-linguistic faculties

Abstract

The article deals with the problem of foreign terminological vocabulary studying by students of non-linguistic faculties of higher educational establishments. The author states that studying foreign languages at non-linguistic faculties is professionally directed. This means that the languages are taught in order to teach students to apply them in their professional activities – to read special foreign literature for obtaining the necessary information, as well as be able to communicate with foreign colleagues on professional issues.
Teaching a foreign language to prospective specialists should be considered through the prism of their further professional activities. Some criteria of selecting terminological vocabularies (glossaries) for developing students’ communicative skills and habits in the process of professionally oriented reading have been considered. The author reveals the role of authentic professional texts in forming professional foreign speech competence in future specialists. She has drawn the reader’s attention to the necessity of differentiated approach in choosing authentic reading materials with the aim of further application in terminological vocabulary studying.
The basic criterion for student knowledge of his specialty is proficiency in professional terminology. Knowledge of terms in the profession is extremely important: sometimes the understanding of the content of the whole text depends on the correct understanding of one foreign term. Terminology vocabulary training is an important element in the process of foreign language studying. One way of mastering the terminology of the specialized field of future professional activity is to read original specialized texts.
The three stages of terminological vocabulary studying based on professional English texts are characterized in the article. The main exercises and tasks for mastering terms at each stage are given.
The author emphasizes that authentic professional texts are not only a main source for expanding terminological vocabulary of students, but also a means of formation and development of their professional skills, contribute to enhancing the culture of terminological communication.