КУЛЬТУРНА ГРАМОТНІСТЬ ЯК ПЕДАГОГІЧНА КАТЕГОРІЯ: НАУКОВА ДИСКУСІЯ

Abstract

The article is devoted to the scientific discussion of cultural literacy as a pedagogical category. The work exemplifies the views of scientists on the definition of the phenomenon from the standpoint of philosophy, pedagogics, cultural studies, linguistics and psychology. In the research, the essence of the concepts “culture” and “cultural literacy” is revealed. It is noted that culture is a multifaceted concept; therefore, there are diverse interpretations of its nature, however the touchstone of any culture is its system of values. It is highlighted that a future specialists’ professional culture is determined by the quality of training at higher educational institution and the cultural level of individuals affects their career development. It is emphasized that cultural literacy development issues are becoming one of the major problems that ensure the success of communication, including interlanguage one. It is pointed out that cultural literacy is a system of essential knowledge (in all spheres of human activities), necessary for comprehension of the modern world. The historical aspects of the philosophical understanding of culture and cultural literacy are systematized and generalized; some theories and concepts of cultural literacy are analyzed: successful language acquisition requires a profound knowledge of the relevant national culture of communication partners (E. Hirsh); literacy is not acquired naturally – it needs to be learned (C. Kramsch). The article provides comparative analysis of the definitions of “cultural literacy” in contemporary pedagogical framework. On the base of the conducted research there is author’s definition is formulated. Cultural literacy is a complex system of knowledge, values and rules that regulate human activities and provide adequate perception and interpretation of information received; it is an effective means of successful intercultural interaction and interlanguage communication that allows navigation in the modern world of continuous dynamic transformations. The necessity of further scientific research in the context of studying the process of cultural literacy formation of in in the process of professional training is substantiated. Key words: cultural literacy, culture, communication, globalization, knowledge, language, values.