High school students’ culture-specific language competence development at English classes working with a literary text

High school students should acquire the knowledge and skills comprising the culture-specific language competence at foreign language classes. It is an important component of modern school education aimed at the development of a linguistic personality ready for communication in a multicultural multilingual world. The aim of the research is to develop teaching materials which can be used at classes or as extracurricular activities by English teachers on the basis of the analysis of the culture-specific language competence components and approaches to its development. The material for the developing of theoretical positions was scientific papers on the main directions of this study and educational-methodical manuals used in the process of teaching English in high school. Empirical research material is the book “Alice in Wonderland” by L. Carroll which served the basis for teaching materials elaboration to develop students’ culture-specific language competence. In the course of the research, the methods of analysis, synthesis, comparison, systematization and generalization of scientific and methodical literature, modelling English classes and experiential learning are used. The scientific novelty of the research consists in the clarification of content and structure of the culture-specific competence, peculiarities of its development in high school and justification of the cultural and historical epoch context introduction necessity while working with a literary text. The culture-specific language competence is considered as a combination of a theoretical and processual-activity components including target language country realia, corresponding language units, history, culture, traditions and customs and the ability to employ this knowledge in order to bridge the language barrier and communicate effectively. The study of the culture-specific language competence development principles and approaches has resulted in formulating guidelines for foreign language teachers. For example, language and culture acquisition must happen inseparably; it is essential to employ various authentic texts and exercises, cultivate respect for native and foreign cultures, devote enough time to oral speech skills development. The practical value consists in the developed training materials based on the book “Alice in Wonderland” by L. Carroll which can be used by other teachers.

culture-specific language competence, culture, communication, principle, approach to teaching, authentic text, foreign language