The thesis is devoted to the development of practical recommendations for the improvement of English language competence of Ukrainian officers of state authorities in the context of functioning of public administration mechanisms under Ukraine's Eurointegration.
The definition of the concepts “competence” and “English language competence” is generalized and grounded in the context of the functioning of public administration mechanisms. Understanding competence as a complex unity, internal formation of personal knowledge, experience and activity, the conclusion is made regarding English language competence influence on the worldview and professional activity of a specialist in the English language context and public administration on the international level. The review of practical experience of using English in the activity of the government bodies of the EU member states is presented, with reference to such countries as Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Denmark, Czech Republic, Latvia and Poland. Current trends in the use of English in the functioning of the mechanisms of public administration of Ukraine are analyzed.
The influence of the English language competence of officers of state authorities on the functioning of the mechanisms of public administration under the conditions of Ukraine's Eurointegration is grounded. The interrelation is found between the English language competence among state bodies’ personnel and functioning of political, economic, informational, organizational and other kinds of mechanisms in the sphere of Eurointegration. The place of English language competence in the system of qualification requirements of officers of state authorities is determined in the context of modern trends in the development of public administration.
The available approaches to the assessment of competencies are generalized and criteria, principles and ways of assessing English language competence in the activity of public administration employees are proposed. A corresponding program for evaluating the English language competence of officers of state authorities has been developed, which contains a preparatory stage, a stage of evaluation, a stage of checking the results of the evaluation, and the additional stage of “assessment in practice”. The latter is considered as the main factor in evaluating the level of development of English language competence, resulting in efficient professional activity of a public administration worker in the English speaking community.
The available programs and methods for increasing the effectiveness of the functioning of public administration mechanisms by developing the English language competence of Ukrainian officers of state authorities are outlined. The concrete ways to enhance the English language competence of public authorities are offered, such as: legislative consolidation of English language competence among the required ones of a public officer on the level B2 for all categories and C1 as a competitive advantage of candidates to work in the public administration bodies; introduction of separate services to the public in English; continuous English language training both before and during the professional activity in the sphere of public administration; using different motivational techniques (psycho-sociological and career).
Key words: mechanisms of public administration, English language competence, European integration of Ukraine, officers of state authorities, assessment, adaptation to European norms and standards, ways to improve efficiency.
