INTERCULTURAL COMMUNIVATIVE COMPETENCE- Intercultural Dialogue in Teaching Foreign Language Literature-

In all European countries pluralism and diversity has become an every day reality. To ensure a harmonious interaction between people and groups with different cultural and religious identities, respect for cultural diversity, tolerance, dialogue and cooperation are becoming basic social skills needed by every European citizen. Intercultural learning, intercultural dialogue, intercultural competence must be understood as one of the preconditions for individuals to cope with the new challenges of having to build societies that must be based on respecting people in their diversity. Intercultural learning is an experience which involves all senses and levels of learning, knowledge, emotions, behaviour in an intensive way. Language is one of the most visible elements of culture and in that sense a central aspect in intercultural communication. That is why it must not be used as a means of dominance, but can be one tool of communication. Teaching foreign languages means not only teaching the language itself but to constantly develop intercultural awareness through intercultural communicative competence and intercultural skills. We cannot be competent in a foreign language if we do not understand the culture that has shaped it and how that culture relates to our first language culture. It is not only essential to have cultural awareness, but also intercultural awareness. Intercultural communicative competence is an attempt to raise students` awareness of their own culture, and in doing so, help them to understand other cultures.