Continuous development of intercultural competence of education seekers in the process of foreign language education: from secondary to higher school

Abstract

Abstract: The article is devoted to the issue of ensuring the continuous development of intercultural competence of education seekers in the process of foreign language education at the stages of secondary and higher school. The publication emphasizes that, in order to achieve successful communication with representatives of other cultures, education seekers should not only have a good command of a foreign language but also demonstrate intercultural competence. The purpose of the article is to determine the theoretical foundations for ensuring the continuous development of education seekers’ intercultural competence in the process of foreign language education at the secondary and higher school levels. The research methods include analysis, comparison, generalization, and systematization of scientific ideas related to the problem under study. Based on the consideration of various scientific viewpoints, it is concluded that intercultural competence represents an individual’s ability to build constructive communication and effective interaction with representatives of different cultures, taking into account differences in their core values, traditions, attitudes, expectations, and behaviors. One of the main means of developing education seekers’ intercultural competence is foreign language education. The study identifies several ways to improve the process of developing education seekers’ intercultural competence in foreign language learning in secondary and higher education institutions: integration of cultural topics into language content; inclusion of intercultural goals in lesson planning and their alignment with expected linguistic outcomes; formulation of learning objectives through the clear identification of knowledge, skills, attitudes, and personal qualities that are part of intercultural competence; involvement of education seekers in project-based and communicative activities; integration of reflective methods into foreign language instruction; and application of a pedagogically sound procedure for assessing the progress and outcomes of education seekers’ foreign language learning. Keywords: continuous development, intercultural competence, education seeker, foreign language education, secondary school, higher education.