Abstract:

The paper discusses developing transferable skills in English as a second language (ESL) classes at Kazan Federal University, Russian Federation. Interdisciplinary approach which is one of the most effective and actively developing pedagogical technology in modern education makes ESL classes perfect platform for enhancing students’ core skills and abilities which are related to a wide range of industries and jobs. The authors of the given article start with an overview of the manifold definitions of ‘transferable skills’, which are used in academic literature. The work highlights that students should not merely be able to make choices intellectually but also be able to pursue them practically by acting in and upon a competitive social world. It is also noted in the work that despite considerable interest in, and importance placed on, transferable skills for both academic and career success, there is a relative absence of explicit support for skill development within higher education teaching. The article also deals with the misconception of easy transfer of acquired skills since in most cases this transfer depends on individual and contextual factors. In the end authors of the article share their experience of how transferable skills are developed in higher education via ESL classes at Kazan Federal University.

Keywords:

English as a second language, transferable skills, education, Kazan Federal University.