MODERN APPROACHES TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF LEXICAL COMPETENCE:INTERACTIVE PLATFORMS AND CURRENT CHALLENGES

Abstract

Background. In contemporary conditions, there is growing interest in digital tools that can be used in foreign language teaching. The aim of this article is to generalize and analyze modern approaches and challenges faced by teachers in the process of developing learners' lexical competence. The review is based on the analysis of the works of Ukrainian and foreign scholars who have studied this field. The article examines the theoretical and practical aspects of modern approaches to the development of lexical competence within the framework of English for Specific Purposes (ESP) and foreign language learning in general, with particular emphasis on the use of interactive digital platforms. In the context of the theoretical foundations of professional lexical competence development and the definition of professional vocabulary, the role of fixed expressions, formulaic sequences, and technical neologisms in modern English is considered. The main methodological principles of lexical competence development within ESP are outlined. Practical examples of the use of interactive digital platforms as supporting tools in the development of lexical competence are provided. The corresponding advantages and disadvantages, methodological principles, and challenges faced by the modern educational process in the context of the use of interactive platforms, digitalization, and the implementation of EdTech solutions are analyzed. The necessity of contextualized vocabulary teaching focused on authentic genres and professional tasks is substantiated.
Methods. To achieve the stated aim, the following methods were employed: the method of theoretical analysis of scientific literature - to examine sources related to the review topic and analyze the current state of the research problem; lexical-semantic analysis - to investigate the peculiarities of lexical unit acquisition in the context of foreign language learning; the comparative method - to identify the most appropriate tools for vocabulary learning and evaluate their effectiveness in the educational process; and the method of scientific synthesis - to process and integrate the research findings.
Results. The results of the study demonstrated that modern technologies combined with traditional vocabulary learning methods have a significant positive impact on vocabulary acquisition and promote its active use. It was established that interactive platforms increase learners' engagement, promote active learning, provide immediate feedback, and facilitate vocabulary acquisition. At the same time, a number of limitations were identified, including dependence on technical support and the necessity for teachers to possess digital competence. The obtained results may be used to improve the methodology of teaching English both within the framework of English for Specific Purposes and in a broader context, as well as the teaching of other foreign languages and the integration of digital technologies into the educational process.
Conclusions. Vocabulary constitutes the foundation upon which disciplinary knowledge is built, professional discourse is interpreted, and effective academic and professional communication is carried out. The integration of professional vocabulary into English language teaching within English for Specific Purposes is a key pedagogical task.