CASE-STUDY AS A MECHANISM FOR FORMING INTERCULTURAL COMPETENCE

Abstract

The article examines the potential of case-study in the process of forming interculturalcompetence in English lessons for students. The author focuses on the issues of clarifying the structure ofintercultural competence and creating a special system of case-exercises focused on the formation of a specialcomponent of this competence. The specificity is due to the multidimensional nature of the abovementionedcompetence, which requires an integrated and innovative approach to the selection of linguistic and culturalmaterial and the creation of exercises. The author identified the main component of intercultural competence –cultural awareness, which allows to transform the acquired socio-cultural and intercultural knowledge into apractical understanding and perception of foreign culture. A system of exercises based on a case-study is relevantand effective material in teaching a foreign language. The content of the case should be authentic, reflect modernrealities and encourage students to analyse, compare cultures and develop the ability to make joint decisions. Thearticle provides examples of specific tasks aimed at developing empathy, tolerance, openness to new things andintercultural awareness. The author emphasizes that the use of case-study contributes not only to the assimilationof linguistic material, but also to the formation of flexible thinking necessary for effective intercultural interaction.The practical significance of the study lies in the possibility of applying the proposed system of exercises inschool and university practice of teaching foreign languages.