CLIL as a reply to modern challenges in the vocational education

This article discusses the study of content language integrated learning (CLIL) as one of the ways to solve the current problems of higher education such as shortage of staff speaking a foreign language; the inadaptability of educational systems, formed during the first industrial revolution, to the requirements of the fourth; the rapid development of the gig economy, which requires a rapid transition from shrinking industries to emerging new ones; a significant increase in the level of English proficiency among university graduates to self-actualize and increase competitiveness and well-being.

The authors argue that CLIL approach used in various countries demonstrating consistently very high or high levels of English proficiency, largely determines the inspiring results of students both in personal life and professional activity. The purpose of this work is to present an effective experience in creating a carefully thought-out comprehensive concept of mastering a foreign language by law students as one of the effective tools for their professional development in the field of financial law. The article focuses on both the direct professional development of law students in financial law and their active mastery of English, which serves as a tool for their professional activity in the process of using the authors’ textbook “Financial Law: Lectures, Practicum, Bilingual Simulator”.

This textbook, according to the authors, is innovative due to three main factors. First, it forms the fundamental knowledge of students, including a holistic picture of the world of a given professional field, a discipline thesaurus, and interdisciplinary connections. Secondly, it contributes to the development of professional communication skills, i.e. interpersonal communication and professional interaction based on the acquired knowledge of the studied area, while taking into account the cultural characteristics of the participants. Finally, this textbook develops students’ meta-knowledge, including creativity, problem solving, critical thinking, collaboration and communication.