Forming intercultural communication skills in students of non-language universities

Abstract

The relevance of this article derives from the consideration of the problem of development of students’ intercultural communication skills under significant influence of the globalization process on the development of higher education system, especially in those universities where there is a rapid growth of the export of learning services. Foreign language is thought of as the main means of intercultural communication. The object of this paper is to analyze the process of formation of intercultural communication, modern value attitudes towards foreign culture and its bearers among students with allowance for the reality of learning experiences in an agricultural university. The consideration of this issue made it possible to determine modern methods and forms of work in practical classes in a foreign language which will facilitate a solution to the problem. The authors of the article point out that industrial work placement abroad is an effective tool to develop intercultural communication skills. The role of a teacher is considered to be a key one in the formation of students’ intercultural communication skills.