THE INFLUENCE OF INTERCULTURAL INTERACTION ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF STUDENTS’ FOREIGN LANGUAGE COMMUNICATIVE COMPETENCE

Abstract

This article examines how intercultural interaction influences the development of foreign language communicative competence among students in higher education. Drawing on recent empirical and theoretical studies in intercultural communication and foreign language teaching, it argues that communicative competence cannot be developed in isolation from meaningful intercultural contact. Instead, it emerges through dynamic interaction involving cognitive, social, and affective mechanisms. The article synthesizes findings from studies on intercultural communicative competence (ICC), classroom diversity, telecollaboration, and culturally responsive teaching, demonstrating that intercultural interaction is a core developmental condition for effective language use in real communicative contexts.