Developing multicultural communicative competence in English as a foreign language classroom

Abstract

Due to the recent increase of academic mobiltity at higher institution level in Russian Federation there appear more and more multicultural academic groups. English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teacher faces new challenges, connected not only with different language levels but with behavioral patterns, rooted in different cultural background. This paper will present design and implementation of an educational programme that aims at developing both students’ language skills in English as a foreign language and social skills of interaction in multicultural environment. These ideas help to create classrooms that are more equitable and provide effective engaging of students from diverse backgrounds in the academic process by taking into account their cultures, values and language skills.