Implementation of visual mind mapping strategy to improve students' language competence

Abstract

The opportunities of the educational process can be expanded through the use of innovative mechanisms. The aim of the work is to determine the effectiveness of teaching as a result of implementing the Visual Mind Mapping strategy to improve students' foreign language competence. The general theoretical method of comparison, calculation of the concordance coefficient, the efficiency coefficient, and the WhitneyWilk test enabled us to achieve the aim. We ensured learning through educational mechanisms, which included visualizing information and developing intellectual activity. We also provided the study of new words, the use of digital technologies (Writer, Rosetta Stone, Busuu), the development of communication skills, and the enhancement of professional skills. It was found among students that using Visual Mind Mapping contributes to obtaining a high level of knowledge in a shorter time. Focusing on the Kirkpatrick model made it possible to establish that most students acquired a high level of foreign language competence after testing their knowledge. The students have a positive attitude to learning using Visual Mind Mapping. The practical significance of the article is the possibility of involving innovative technologies for learning a foreign language. The prospects of further research are to compare learning effectiveness using Visual Mind Mapping for junior and senior year students.