ACADEMIC INTEGRITY IN THE ACTIVITY OF A FOREIGN LANGUAGE TEACHER

Abstract

The paper investigates the academic integrity (AcadI) in the activity of a foreign language (FL) teacher at a general secondary education institution (GSEI). Aim of research is to highlight the factors of formation of the FL teacher’s AcadI, to define the directions of its activity regarding the promotion of AcadI, to name the leading ways of preventing violations of AcadI in the GSEI. Methods. To achieve the goal, the following methods were used as theoretical (analysis, synthesis of normative and scientific and pedagogical sources) and empirical (observation of the educational process). Results and discussion. The factors of formation of the FL teacher’s AcadI are singled out and characterized, including the personality qualities of the FL teacher, which can be natural (from the birth) or acquired, the appropriate acquired qualification (an example of the popularization of AcadI and the prevention of its violations in the training of FL teachers under the specialities "Secondary Education (English Language and Literature)" and "Secondary education (German language and literature)" on the basis of Hryhorii Skovoroda University in Pereiaslav, Ukraine), self-education and direct practical professional activity and experience. The authors determined the directions of activity of a FL teacher regarding the promotion of AcadI were defined as: 1) personal example of behavior and academic culture of the FL teacher, 2) the extracurricular work with students about AcadI; 3) optional FL classes on AcadI; 4) the curricular work of the FL teacher with the students directly at FL classes. The leading ways to prevent violations of academic integrity in GSEI were identified: 1) adoption of the Regulation on academic integrity, which should be published on the website of the educational institution and brought to the attention of every participant in the educational process; 2) conducting educational work on compliance with academic integrity; 3) strengthening of self-motivation, self-esteem and self-respect of students, etc. Aspects, thanks to the analysis of which it is possible to verify compliance with the academic culture in the school, are also defined. Conclusions. It was made an attempt to highlight the factors of formation of the FL teacher’s AcadI, which are considered to be as the following: personality qualities, appropriate acquired qualification, self-education, practical professional activity. The directions of activity of a FL teacher regarding the promotion of AcadI were defined and the leading ways of preventing violations of AcadI in the GSEI were named according to the authors’ opinion. The prospect of further research is interviewing FL teachers on their opinion towards AcadI and problems and benefits of participating in AcadI popularization at GSEIs.