ROLE-PLAY AS A METHOD FOR DEVELOPING STUDENTS’ SOFT SKILLS: A PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE

Abstract

The article explores the use of role-playing games to develop soft skills among students studying English for professional purposes. The author presents a classroom experience of a role-playing game titled “United Nations Organization: A Vehicle for Global Cooperation or a Talking Shop?” conducted with students majoring in Global Politics and Modern Political Technologies. The study describes the game’s stages, including role assignment and character development, argument formulation and refinement, language preparation and discussion, moderation techniques. Special emphasis is placed on developing critical information analysis, effective communication strategies, teamwork skills and emotional intelligence. The paper introduces an original assessment rubric that evaluates both linguistic proficiency and soft skills. Findings demonstrate that role-playing games serve as an effective pedagogical tool for developing competitive professionals, successfully integrating both professional competencies and transferable skills.