Mind maps as an effective tool in “Practical English language course”

The article considers the issue of using mind maps in the Practical English course. It is emphasised that they help to structure, analyse, understand and memorise the necessary material. With their help, teachers can explain a new topic, systematise information, exercise control, summarise what they have learned, encourage communication, and create supports. This study aimed to consider the concept of “mind maps” and to highlight the possibility of their application in the study of the educational component “Practical English Language Course”. Research methods includes analysis, systematization, and generalization of scientific research, as well as abstraction, idealization, and logical-structural analysis of the use of mind maps in the educational process. It is noted that this tool is also effective for a student, in particular, for systematizing knowledge, for preparing for classes, for test control, etc. The student can actively participate in the educational process, participating together with the teacher in the development of mind maps. The article states that one of the main uses of mind maps is to create visual schemes or diagrams to represent and organize ideas, vocabulary, grammatical structures, or thematic concepts. In the “Practical English Language” classes, students of higher education can use mind maps to create a schematic representation of the studied material, to activate speaking skills, to work with lexical material, with grammatical material, with text material, to present the results of project activities, to conduct brainstorming storming, discussion, debate, etc. Teachers adapt the use of mind maps according to the specific needs and preferences of their students, which promotes active learning, development of critical thinking and effective communication in the classes. The article emphasizes that in classes you can use ready-made mind maps presented in textbooks or on posters, prepare your own samples for class in the form of presentations or reference notes, in the process of presenting the material, build them in class, organize various types of individual and group activities of students with using ready-made mind maps. Their advantages in use by both teachers and students of higher education are indicated. The practical significance of the research is that its results can be used in the process of professional training of future philologists and English language teachers in higher education institutions, as well as for the preparation of scientific and methodological support using mind maps and in the self-educational activities of students