METHODOLOGICAL APPROACHES TO DEVELOPING INTERCULTURAL AWARENESS IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHER EDUCATION

Abstract

Intercultural awareness is one of the key components of professional competence in English language teacher education. Future English language teachers should be able to understand the relationship between language and culture, recognize cultural differences, avoid stereotypes, and create a respectful learning environment. The development of intercultural awareness requires the use of effective methodological approaches that connect linguistic knowledge with cultural understanding and communicative practice. This thesis analyzes major methodological approaches to developing intercultural awareness among future English language teachers. Particular attention is paid to communicative-intercultural, comparative-cultural, reflective, project-based, and digital approaches. The thesis argues that intercultural awareness develops effectively when students are actively involved in cultural comparison, discussion, interpretation, reflection, and practical communication tasks. The systematic use of these approaches contributes to the formation of professionally competent English language teachers who are ready to work in multicultural educational contexts.