DEVELOPMENT OF SOFT SKILLS IN PROFESSIONAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE CLASSES WITH A FOCUS ON NEGOTIATION

Abstract

By the term soft skills, we understand non-technical skills, abilities, and characteristics that are not directly related to expertise but to the human personality and can be applied in almost any work area. In our article, we are dedicated to developing soft skills during Business English classes, focusing on negotiation as the ability to reach agreements through discussion that leads to an outcome satisfactory to all parties involved. When teaching professional English as a foreign language, it is advisable to emphasize the knowledge of morphology, syntax, and lexicon and the practical application of this knowledge in specific situations. Non-verbal communication, problem-solving skills, presentation skills, and intercultural competence are skills that we consider to be crucial for successful negotiation on various topics. Our article aims to point out the possibility of using soft skills in professional English language classes, which are applicable not only in the implementation of the educational process. Through qualitative research, we concluded that by practicing soft skills, students develop multiple skills and simultaneously find the activities attractive because they are practical.