РОЗВИТОК СОЦІАЛЬНОЇ КОМПЕТЕНТНОСТІ ЯК ОДНОГО З ЧИННИКІВ ПРОФЕСІЙНОГО САМОРОЗВИТКУ МАЙБУТНІХ ФАХІВЦІВ

The article addresses the pressing issue of developing social competence as one of the key factors in the professional self-development of future teachers. Given the increasing demands on the teaching profession, the author emphasizes the importance of cultivating the ability for effective social interaction among students of pedagogical specialties, as it is an essential condition for their successful professional fulfillment. Social competence is presented as an integrated set of knowledge, skills, habits, values, and psychosocial qualities that enable an individual to engage in constructive cooperation, resolve conflicts, adapt to social changes, and work in a team. It is substantiated that the development of social competence directly influences the formation of emotional intelligence, reflective abilities, professional image, and personal maturity of the future teacher. The article analyzes scientific approaches to the structure, content, and stages of social competence formation and reviews relevant literature on its connection with self-awareness, self-realization, and professional identity. Professional self-development is considered a continuous, conscious, and purposeful process of personal improvement, occurring within the framework of pedagogical interaction, social challenges, and internal growth needs. The author stresses that the effective formation of social competence is a crucial task of modern teacher education, which should provide a supportive environment for the harmonious development of a professionally competent, morally responsible, and socially mature teacher. The article also outlines promising directions for further research, particularly concerning the organizational and pedagogical conditions that promote the development of social competence in the process of professional formation of future specialists.