SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING OF ENGLISH FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES (BUSINESS ENGLISH) AS POWERFUL PEDADOGICAL TOOL IN THE CONTEXT OF ECONOMIC UNIVERSITY

 The authors have analyzed the conceptual framework of self-directed learning theory; described some issues of self-directed learning within the field of higher education in the North America and identified some challenges of self-directed English for Specific Purposes (ESP) learning in the Ukrainian Economic University setting; shared some practical information about using it as a pedagogical tool in an ESP (Business English) classroom for advanced learners in the context of Ukrainian Economic University; characterized the ESP course containing a self-directed learning component; showed who is more likely to become an efficient self-directed ESP learner; presented some ideas on the role of the teacher in involving students in self-directed ESP learning; selected several ways to foster an ESP learner autonomy: established a number of economic benefits of self-directed ESP learning.