DEVELOPING INTERCULTURAL COMPETENCE OF FUTURE GEOGRAPHY TEACHERS IN UKRAINIAN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

Abstract

Formation of intercultural competence in the modern world and contemporary conditions is a relevant scientific and pedagogical issue. The manifestation of modern integration processes leads to a change in perspectives on the necessity of tolerant relations among representatives of different cultures, religions, and viewpoints. Currently, within the context of international development, there is cultural exchange at personal, national, and international levels. Therefore, education has seen the emergence of a need for a culture of communication and cultural dialogue between different countries and their citizens. Considering multiculturalism and multi-ethnicity becomes a pedagogical priority for global civilization and nations. Adhering to it is an essential condition for democratizing civil society. The features of forming intercultural competence largely extend beyond pedagogy and depend on the influence of social and political institutions, but higher education institutions are the very establishments that can help shape a new multicultural, democratic, and civic society.The problem of forming intercultural competence is particularly pertinent for future geography teachers. Precisely, the prospective geography teacher should become a multicultural individual who will shape a tolerant, multicultural, conscious, and civic society in our nation. The article delves into the specifics of forming intercultural competence in higher education institutions, using the example of analyzing educational programs for the specialization “Secondary Education. Geography”. An analysis of scientific literature is conducted to systematize information about the particularities of cultivating multiculturalism in future educators. Researchersʼ viewpoints regarding the implementation specifics of intercultural competence in the educational process are scrutinized. The educational programs of five pedagogical universities are characterized in terms of the place of intercultural competence in the preparation of future geography teachers. Keywords: educational program; professional training; general competencies; professional competencies; multiculturalism; intercultural competence; teacher; geography.