Abstract:

The problem of xenophobia prevention is both one of the priority educational tasks and the general pedagogical principle based on the creation of students’ positive experience of intercultural and inter-ethnic communication.

The scientific novelty of the research is in the application of the key ideas of critical pedagogy, constructivism, and student-centered approach to modernize the content of the vocational training of future teachers aimed at prevention and overcoming xenophobia. The objective of this paper is to present the results of testing the effectiveness of the training course "Prevention of Xenophobia and Extremism in Education", designed to train future teachers. The course was developed based on the diagnostic results of master's degree students (“Pedagogical Education”direction). The diagnostic apparatus of the study included the components of the effectiveness of overcoming xenophobia (cognitive, emotionally evaluative, behavioral). The respondents were examined with such diagnostic techniques as the "Social Distance Scale", an open version of the "Attribution of Qualities", a modified "Diagnosis of the Level of Tolerance Formation", etc.

The training course was implemented using critical thinking development technology. The researchers proceeded from the fact that the type of critical thinking is based on doubt about the validity of stereotypes in relation to another person, another group, the ability to conduct a dialogue on equal terms, problem analysis of incoming information. The triple-component technology (stages - challenge, comprehension, reflection) was supplemented with meaningful aspects and methods that allow extracting, understanding and transforming the information received without ready-made attitudes, stereotypes and other mechanisms for the formation of xenophobic consciousness. The main task of the teacher was to involve students in maximal mental activity at all stages of the technology implementation, as well as building democratic relations in a group of students.

The "Mann-Whitney U-test" method was used for statistical analysis of the data obtained. The final diagnosis of the students demonstrated positive changes in all three components of overcoming xenophobia (cognitive, emotionally evaluative and behavioral), which indicates the effectiveness of the training course "Prevention of Xenophobia and Extremism in Education".

Keywords:

xenophobia, prevention of xenophobia, critical pedagogy, intercultural dialogue, critical thinking, tolerance, student-centered approach.