THE ROLE OF DIGITAL VIDEO RESOURCES IN DEVELOPING THE ENGLISH-LANGUAGE PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE OF SOCIOLOGY AND PHILOSOPHY STUDENTS: EXPERIENCE OF USING «THE SCHOOL OF LIFE» VIDEO MATERIALS

Abstract

     Summary. The article analyzes the role of digital video resources in developing the English-language professional competence of sociology and philosophy students in the context of the digitalization of higher education. It examines the potential of the English for Specific Purposes (ESP) approach combined with YouTube-based platforms as an effective tool for enhancing students’ language, analytical, and professionally oriented skills. Particular attention is paid to the educational potential of «The School of Life» channel, which offers interdisciplinary video materials on sociology, philosophy, and cultural studies.

     The study has found that the integration of digital video resources into the educational process contributes to increased student motivation, the development of critical thinking, and the ability to interpret complex socio-philosophical concepts in English. The article presents an example of using the video “PHILOSOPHY – Michel Foucault” from «The School of Life channel», which has proven particularly effective for developing professional terminological competence and academic listening skills within the framework of the topic «Power and Society.»

     The study has found that the integration of digital video resources into the educational process contributes to increased student motivation, the development of critical thinking, and the ability to interpret complex socio-philosophical concepts in English. An example of using the video «PHILOSOPHY – Michel Foucault» from «The School of Life» channel is presented, demonstrating its effectiveness in developing professional terminological competence and academic listening skills within the framework of the topic “Power and Society.”

     The article also describes a system of exercises designed for the pre-viewing, viewing, and post-viewing stages of working with the video material, ensuring the gradual acquisition of vocabulary and conceptual understanding. The effectiveness of tasks aimed at activating professional vocabulary, discussing sociological issues and philosophical ideas and developing students’ ability to express and justify their opinions in English is analyzed.

     It is concluded that the use of digital video resources available on the YouTube platform, particularly the materials provided by «The School of Life» channel, is an effective means of improving the quality of foreign language training for students of social sciences and humanities. The proposed approach facilitates the integration of digital technologies into the educational process and promotes the development of professional English-language competence in the context of contemporary educational transformation.