РАЗДЕЛ CULTURE CORNER В УЧЕБНО-МЕТОДИЧЕСКОМ ПОСОБИИ: ИНТЕГРАТИВНОЕ ИЗУЧЕНИЕ АНГЛИЙСКОГО ЯЗЫКА И КУЛЬТУРЫ СТРАН АЗИАТСКО-ТИХООКЕАНСКОГО РЕГИОНА

Abstract

The article describes and analyzes a section of the textbook English Dimensions: Language, Region, Cultures (developed and published in 2023 at APR Regional Studies Department, Irkutsk State University, the authors are Yu.B. Dyundik, O.A. Kaverina, E.E. Kalish, M.V. Novosyolova, N.Yu. Khlyzova, A.V. Chaykisova). The section is based on information about cultural peculiarities of Asian-Pacific countries. The key countries are the USA, Russia, China, South Korea and Japan, the reason for that is what languages the students of this field of education study. In the article the authors share their experience of integrative way of teaching a foreign language (English) and foreign culture(s) to linguistic university students. It gives a variety of exercises which are basic for studying a foreign culture, such exercises develop relevant competencies, required to be effective and highly professional in their major, English. The authors believe that a foreign language (English in this case) can be considered an ideal platform to learn APR countries’ culture, as integration of a foreign language and cultures lets broaden knowledge and experience in almost any sphere, creates a highly-educated broadminded specialist and provides with the skills of analytical mind, creativity, and high level of critical thinking. A foreign language as a subject has a powerful integrative potential, moreover the core is knowledge about the world (about APR countries in this case) and communication are both a purpose and a means of studying.