Implementation of MOOC platforms into teaching English to IT specialists

Abstract

The paper deals with the issue of application possibilities of MOOC platforms in IT specialist training. It is emphasized that this problem is urgent due to the coronavirus pandemic which caused reconsideration of educational approaches, means and tools. In the study the analysis of the most demanded massive open online course platforms in terms of IT specialist training is presented. Challenges of MOOCs for teaching and learning foreign languages are highlighted. Profession-related, soft skill mastering and English learning courses have been scrutinized in terms of their content and user-friendliness by teachers and students of two universities. Design, layout, topics, communities, documentation, and application availability have been evaluated and ranked. Three online English courses of similar purpose on Coursera, FutureLearn and Prometheus have been compared and ranked with the aim to advise the most efficient one to senior undergraduates striving to be employed in Ukraine and abroad in the multicultural IT environment.