DEVELOPING INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS USING MEDIA TOOLS

Linguistic as well the intercultural skills have always been crucial for professionals in different spheres of business as these skills help to enhance the quality of the service provided and contribute to successful intercultural dialogue. This article presents the development process of intercultural communication skills of Russian students at Orenburg State Pedagogical University of Russia while they are studying the English language, as well as some teaching methods that focus on intercultural communication in students' native-language environment. Recent experiments suggest that so-called immersion, when students are surrounded by numerous language examples may result in mental processes similar to that of native speakers. However, it can be extremely challenging to create such surroundings in "acquisition-poor environment" with extremely limited students' mobility. Therefore, simulation of such a linguistic and cultural environment becomes essential. With the help of different kinds of media university teaching staff gain the opportunity to do that and to enhance their students' foreign language experience. The article dwells upon such media as interactive radio, TV and Web 2.0 technology (primarily blogs) as major sources for recreating this rich second-language environment and fostering language and cultural exchanges between students and English speakers (both native and non-native ones). It also offers certain methods of using these media in the classroom, which can contribute to a successful curriculum.