Abstract:

The authors explored the usage of the English and Native language proverbs and sayings on intercultural communication in foreign language classes. The aim of this article is to study the educational value of the English and Native language proverbs and sayings as the means in intercultural communication in foreign language lessons. This article is an effort to find the best ways of developing intercultural communication skills of the students by means of proverbs and sayings which reflects the “soul” of the nation. The authors of the article analyzed the works of Russian and foreign researchers on intercultural communication, different approaches to the meaning of this term in the educational process, why foreign language teachers should develop the students’ intercultural communication skills at the foreign language classes. The authors studied more than 200 proverbs and sayings due to their educational value for developing intercultural communication. The proverbs and sayings were divided according to the themes: reflecting the historical events of the country; daily routine, customs, and traditions of the people. The authors created exercises with these proverbs and sayings and used them in the foreign language lessons. The results of the experience were approved and described in this article. By trying to use and translate proverbs and sayings from their native language to learn a foreign one, the students developed their vocabulary, communication, and translation skills. According to the experiment, which has been still running on, students of the Institute of Psychology and Education worked hard in self-development, they tried to find and use additional sources: dictionaries, literature, textbooks and encyclopedias, and publications. The authors think that the article will be interesting for teachers of foreign languages and linguists in the further development of theoretical and practical issues in language teaching and for pedagogical university students.

Keywords:

Intercultural communication, foreign language, proverbs and sayings, native language, education, culture, students, primary school teachers.