THE ESSENCE OF INTERCULTURAL SKILLS IN LEARNING A FOREIGN LANGUAGE
Keywords:
Intercultural competence, foreign language learning, cultural awareness, global communication, language pedagogy, cross-cultural education, communicative competence.Abstract
In today’s globalized world, learning a foreign language goes beyond mastering grammar and vocabulary—it requires the development of intercultural skills. This article explores the essence of intercultural competence as a core element in foreign language acquisition. It emphasizes how the ability to understand, respect, and interact effectively with people from diverse cultural backgrounds enhances both linguistic performance and communication effectiveness. Drawing on contemporary pedagogical theories and case studies, the study highlights the integration of cultural content into language curricula, the role of educators in modeling intercultural sensitivity, and the importance of reflective learning. The findings suggest that learners who actively engage in intercultural experiences show greater motivation, adaptability, and communicative competence. The paper concludes by proposing practical strategies to embed intercultural education into foreign language teaching frameworks, thereby fostering global citizenship and cross-cultural understanding.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
You are free to:
- Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format for any purpose, even commercially.
- Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.
- The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms.
Under the following terms:
- Attribution — You must give appropriate credit , provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made . You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
- No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
Notices:
You do not have to comply with the license for elements of the material in the public domain or where your use is permitted by an applicable exception or limitation .
No warranties are given. The license may not give you all of the permissions necessary for your intended use. For example, other rights such as publicity, privacy, or moral rights may limit how you use the material.
