CULTURE-ORIENTED APPROACHES TO FOREIGN LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION FOR INTERNATIONAL TOURISM AND HOSPIALITY STUDENTS

Abstract

The present paper aims to explore existing culture-oriented approaches to language instruction at the tertiary level. The purpose of this analysis is to substantiate the implementation of the intercultural approach in university curricula for international tourism and hospitality programs. The objectives of the study are to provide a content analysis of existing approaches, which integrate culture and language, and to establish the methodological and didactic foundations of the intercultural approach in university. The article reveals the content of various culture-oriented approaches to language instruction which aim to promote intercultural competence development in university students as well as allow their self-determination in a multi-cultural environment in which they will operate professionally. Content analysis allows to establish the degree to which existing language and culture integrated approaches allow to forge productive relations with representatives of other cultures and to meet demands and opportunities provided by globalization. An analysis of literature has established that a focus on intercultural development proves to be lacking in curriculum documents and didactic initiatives as priority is often given to linguistic competence. The insights provided by the study show that the intercultural approach has potential in educational programs at the tertiary level. The results suggest the viability of the intercultural approach to language instruction and developing the students’ intercultural competence through language education. The author concludes that the revealed grounds for institutionalizing the intercultural approach in higher education will allow it to gain standing in educational curricula and to allow for a more holistic learning experience by placing emphasis on intercultural goals.