THE ROLE OF SOFT SKILLS DEVELOPMENT IN EDUCATION: FOSTERING SOCIAL COMPETENCIES THROUGH COLLABORATIVE LEARNING

Abstract

This paper explores the concept of social skills (soft skills) and their development, focusing on the importance of these skills for students' future success in both academic and professional settings. Social skills are defined as a set of qualities that enable individuals to adapt, succeed, and thrive in various environments, including the workplace. Key researchers, such as N.U. Karimova, have emphasized the role of social skills in securing employment and improving work productivity. The paper also highlights the contributions of scholars from the CIS countries, such as O.V. Barinova, Y.V. Pavlova, and O.Y. Ponomareva, in the field of workforce training. Additionally, the study discusses the significance of cooperative learning in fostering social skills, particularly for primary school students, as highlighted by R.A. Ilyayeva. The classification of social skills by O.U. Mansurova is also reviewed, which includes interpersonal skills, teamwork abilities, emotional intelligence, conflict resolution skills, and communication skills. Overall, the paper underscores the crucial role of soft skills in both personal and professional development and their integration into modern educational practices.