Integrated education and the development of professional English communicative competence among journalism students

Abstract

This study examines the central role of integrated education in enhancing the professional competencies of journalism students, focusing on the incorporation of mass media and diverse media materials into the learning process. By engaging with a variety of media texts and audiovisual resources, the study demonstrates its influence on increasing learners’ motivation, structuring knowledge, and expanding proficiency in English. These resources are instrumental in developing professionally oriented communicative competence, a critical skill for emerging journalists. The research addresses a gap in understanding how media materials contribute to the simultaneous cultivation of critical thinking, memory, creativity, communication skills, aesthetic appreciation, and analytical abilities within journalism education. A test-based evaluation was conducted to assess students’ professional communicative competence in English across four dimensions: motivation, language proficiency, professional skills, and communication strategies. The findings indicate that mass media function as a comprehensive and effective tool for enhancing domain-specific English communicative competence, providing a robust foundation for students to meet the practical demands of their professional careers. The study underscores the pedagogical implications of integrating media resources to promote holistic skill development in journalism education.

Keywords: Communication skills; English proficiency; integrated education; journalism education; professional competence.