Language and Communication in Social Work: Aspects of Professional Training in Higher Education

This article presents a novel perspective on an under-researched area - the function and significance of the Bulgarian language in the professional communication of social workers, particularly in the context of building effective helping relationships and addressing complex social issues. The analysis foregrounds the role of higher education in cultivating linguistic and communicative competence among university students, viewed as essential to the development of professional identity, personal sensitivity, and empathy. Drawing on data from an empirical research involving social work students, the article explores pedagogical opportunities for enhancing communicative skills through the application of drama-based educational techniques. The study identifies and categorises specific language codes that characterize the professional discourse of social workers, thereby contributing to a deeper understanding of the linguistic dimensions of social work practice. The findings support the integration of communication-oriented practices within the curricula of social work programs in higher education institutions. Such approaches are shown to facilitate the development of reflective, responsive, and ethically grounded practitioners capable of navigating the linguistic demands of their profession.