Future foreign language teachers’ training for realization of the 4Cs educational model in 21st century skills

Abstract

This article considers the possibilities of realization of the 4Cs educational model in training future foreign language teachers. This study focuses on four skills: creativity, critical thinking, communication and collaboration, which are part of the 21st century skills. It provides detailed explanations of the principles of these skills and describes the strategies, techniques and challenges of their integration into English foreign language (EFL) teaching and learning in foreign contexts through reviewing the recent research. To meet the challenges, EFL classrooms should not merely focus on students’ language skills development but also integrate the 4Cs into the learning process. In higher education teachers need to make the necessary changes in the process of teaching, to focus on the content of education and the educational process. Training of future foreign language teachers heads to take into account the transition to the updated educational program in schools of Kazakhstan. Ways of importing 21st century skills: integrating 4Cs skills, the steps to develop future foreign language teachers who are quick-witted, digitally competent, creative, able to think critically and adapt quickly to the environment are discussed. The problem of practice addressed in this article is the lack of 4Cs skills among students currently at university and the lack of opportunities students have to develop these qualities.