CASE STUDY AS THE KEY TO DEVELOPING COMMUNICATIVE PROFESSIONAL FOREIGN LANGUAGE COMPETENCE

The article aims at analysing the advantages of the case study method as an important tool of developing learners’ communicative professional foreign language competence. Based on the communicative approach cases are an effective method in teaching the English language to future specialists since they empower learners not only with the skills of using the language naturally, but  also contribute  to developing critical thinking and professional mentality. The article considers some methodological issues of teaching financial English to the students of the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation using case studies. Students acquire skills how to present their point of view, discuss its importance, suggest a course of action, develop problem solving and decision making skills demonstrating their analytical and managerial skills. Cases have a great potential in teaching business culture and ethics, extending intercultural awareness.