Cross-cultural communication as a component of the teacher-philologist training.

Abstract

The article reveals the essence of cross-cultural communication as both a science and a set of skills, as an ideal goal to which а person should aspire in his desire to adapt to the surrounding world as much as possible. For better understanding of the term “cross-cultural communication” the concepts of “culture” and “communication” are analyzed. Culture is defined as a characteristic of the entire social system, which is manifested in the activity and in the complex of achievements and values accumulated by mankind. The fact that the entire human civilization is built on a process of dialogue between cultures, which in today’s world is much more intensive is focused in the article. The close relationship between culture and language as the main tool for cross-cultural communication is demonstrated. In accordance with the communicative purpose of teaching foreign languages nowadays the necessity of studying the culture, national character, mentality and native speakers’ way of living is proclaimed. The role of the teacher-philologist in the process of cross-cultural communication is defined. The task of the philologist is to teach his students to overcome communicative barriers, taking into account specifics of foreign cultures and developing understanding of their native culture. The main conditions for successful mastering cross-cultural communication by students of philological specialties are defined. Future teachers’ practical skills and abilities of cross-cultural communication should be developed by acquiring culturally-specific knowledge, gaining practical skills of communication in a foreign language, development of psychological sensitivity, the ability to interpret properly specific manifestations of communicative behavior in other cultures.