Collaborative learning in academic English classroom: Preparation of PhD candidates

Academic English acquisition for PhD candidates is one of the main goals of higher education modernization in Ukraine. Preparation of PhD candidates in postgraduate studies is carried out through educational-scientific program and curriculum, and approved by an academic council for each specialty. Academic English Program, designed by the Department of Linguodidactics and Foreign Languages, Volodymyr Vynnychenko Central Ukrainian State Pedagogical University, includes a course “Academic English”, the purpose of which is to create necessary communicative ability for a scientist in oral and written forms within the subject area of the individual research. To reach the purpose of the course a collaborative learning Academic English class was created. The goals and processes of collaborative activities in already designed small groups (3+4+4) were structured as such: tightly structured tasks and creation of a clearly delineated product. The study incorporated both group goals and individual accountability. Each member of the group received individual task to contribute into the fulfilment of the group task. From this research study, it can be concluded that collaborative learning fosters the development of critical thinking through discussion, clarification of ideas, and evaluation of others’ ideas. The changing role of an instructor as a facilitator involves creating and managing meaningful learning experiences and stimulating PhD candidates’ thinking through real problems of their scientific research