Formation of Intercultural Communication in Foreign Students in the Process of Learning Ukrainian as a Foreign Language

This article addresses the development of intercultural communication skills in international students learning Ukrainian as a foreign language. The authors define "intercultural communication". This article highlights that intercultural communication, ideally, involves shared meaning and is a key element in the way people and groups from diverse cultures interact. The main aim of this communication is to build unity and mutual understanding between people while still respecting their individual cultural identities. Education is currently evolving to promote multicultural thinking, which includes tolerance. This approach supports productive intercultural communication, creative cultural expression, individual development, and social advancement. The authors specifically address the modernization of education, focusing on its move towards democratization and multiculturalism, a shift that has become highly important both in theory and practice. It is emphasized that the problem of intercultural communication in the educational process and in the everyday life of foreign students is becoming acute and relevant in the conditions of internationalization of education, in particular, an increase in the number of foreign students in universities. The problematic issues of forming intercultural communication in the process of mastering the Ukrainian language as a foreign language by students – foreign citizens are analyzed. The importance of intercultural communication, both in the classroom and daily life, is emphasized, especially with the growing number of international students and the internationalization of education. The text examines challenges in intercultural communication while learning Ukrainian as a foreign language for international students. Examples of exercises used by teachers at the department of Ukrainian and humanitarian training of Poltava State Medical University are provided, aiding in the academic adjustment of international students. These exercises are designed around principles of intercultural communication. To improve intercultural communication, the article suggests teachers focus on cultivating intercultural competence in students. This competence is the best developed through structured intercultural communication scenarios.