Abstract:

The paper presents the results of the research aimed at teaching cultural competence to international affairs university students by eliminating the risk of putting them off reading online media resources if the headlines are difficult to understand.

The subject matter is a training model used in a more inspiring way than conventional approaches to headline analysis in order to ornament a set of tedious comprehension activities.

The objective of the research is to propose the techniques to identify specific features of media discourse headlines and show the role of shortened idioms that influence to a greatest extent the comprehension of the article contents.

The methods applied are analysis and classification of shortened idioms used in media discourse headlines, theoretical modelling, sampling, content analysis, and categorisation.

The sample included international affairs university students who were given various media discourse headlines that contained shortened idioms followed by exercises and training techniques.

The findings of this research have shown that using shortened idioms enhances efficiency and productivity of the educational process at primary and further stages of international affairs university curriculum and develops cultural competence and awareness in the international affairs students.

The paper summarizes the results of the study that can be widely applicable in teaching various aspects of related subjects where media competence and self-directed learning are required.

Keywords:

Shortened idioms, media discourse headlines, international affairs education, cultural competence.