Intercultural competence in the context of the internationalisation of higher education

Abstract

At the beginning of the 21st century, globalisation and internationalisation are the main objective factors in human development, which also influence the sphere of education. Countries' desire for competitiveness in higher education is driven by their focus on building a ‘knowledge economy’. In the new socio-cultural conditions, Ukraine faces the challenge of adapting the training of specialists to the modern requirements of the labour market, which presupposes the integration of international education standards that will ensure the formation of the ability of future specialists to engage in innovative professional activity, in particular in an intercultural environment. In connection with these processes, intercultural competence, which is based on knowledge of a foreign language, communication is becoming particularly important for students, academics and university lecturers. This competence is based on knowledge of a foreign language, communication skills, awareness of the characteristics of other cultures and communication with their representatives, as well as psychological readiness to establish interaction based on dialogue principles.