Readiness of future agricultural specialists to develop a language culture in their professional activities

Abstract

Modern agricultural education faces the need to train highly qualified specialists who possess not only professional competencies, but also a developed language culture necessary for effective communication in a multicultural professional environment. The study is aimed at studying the readiness of future agronomists and agricultural specialists to develop a language culture in the context of modernization of the agricultural sector. A comprehensive analysis of the language training of students of agricultural universities was carried out, the main problems and contradictions in the formation of communicative competence of future specialists in the agro-industrial complex were identified. The empirical study included a survey of 280 students of three leading agricultural universities in Russia in 2023, using methods of statistical analysis, content analysis and expert assessment. The results showed that 67% of respondents demonstrate an average level of readiness for language activities, 23% — a high level, 10% — a low level. A direct correlation (r = 0.74) was found between the level of language training and the success of professional adaptation of graduates. It was established that the communicative competence of specialists in the agro-industrial complex is determined by the integration of motivational-value, cognitive-linguistic, operational-activity and reflexiveevaluative components. The results of the study are of practical importance for improving the educational programs of agricultural universities and forming an effective language policy in the system of agro-industrial education.