Abstract:

The current system of higher professional education in Russia is characterized by a fundamental change in priorities in terms of setting goals as well as the transition from training single-discipline experts to highly qualified competent specialists capable of professional growth and skillful performance. It is becoming increasingly obvious that University graduates will need to cultivate new skills or enhance existing ones if they are to survive in the 21st century. Thus, the development of transferable skills aimed at the acquisition of occupational competence and advance in major-related problem solving is becoming a pivotal issue in university education.

Transferable skills may be identified as a core set of skills and abilities, which are to be applied to a wide range of different jobs and industries. There are different approaches to their classification though it is common practice to recognize the following key transferable skills, such as critical thinking, project management, leadership, presentation and communication skills, creativity, teamwork and problem-solving.

Mastering these skills can be a major asset in a variety of different jobs, help the student to perform any employed role; and what is more important, to transfer these skills from one occupational setting to another. In broad terms, these skills allow the person to adjust to a variety of life and career situations.

South Ural State University (National Research University) is implementing diverse language educational programs for students who want to acquire professional knowledge and research expertise via learning a foreign language (namely English):
- a supplementary qualification program intended for improving translation and interpretation skills in the sphere of professional competence;
- an innovative project for bachelors within the framework of deeper language training;
- a program for breakthrough university majors, which focuses on professionally oriented research activity of the most talented students (mainly within the CDIO format, based on the concept of the world initiative Conceive – Design – Implement – Operate);
- a program for young academic scholars involved in scientific activities.

All these educational programs integrate EAP(English for Academic Purposes) and ESP approach (Teaching English for Specific Purposes) as the ultimate goal of the national research university is to provide sophisticated comprehensive training for competitive, highly qualified experts that are in great demand for the national and international industries, who will be able to participate effectively in professional-business, socio-cultural and everyday interaction with their colleagues.

Consequently, these future experts are to master relevant skills, habits, and competencies to be qualified enough to tackle professional assignments, be involved into project activities, actively participate in think tank teams, and collaborate with colleagues.

The task of primary importance is to teach these students how to perform all these tasks properly and effectively by means of transferable skills. Within the framework of numerous case studies, roundtable discussions, project work, presentations and negotiations, bachelors and masters learn how to manage challenges while solving professional tasks, interact with others proficiently, working as part of a team as well as on individual basis, listen and speak critically just to name a few.

Keywords:

Transferable skills, language training, educational programs, higher education.