Applying an ethno-cultural approach in foreign language classes using the North Caucasus Federal District as an example

Importance. An urgent problem related to the application of an ethnocultural approach to teaching a foreign language, which meets modern Russian socio-cultural realities, taking into account the interests of ethnic groups inhabiting the regions of Russia is considered. The ethno-cultural approach in foreign language education promotes the development of students' self-awareness as cultural and historical figures, as carriers of individual and collective ethno-cultural traits. The systematic familiarization of children with ethnocultural realities, which is carried out in foreign language lessons based on the application of an ethnocultural approach, contributes to the formation of a positive ethnic identity and readiness for interethnic communication based on respect for representatives of other ethnic groups. For Russia, as a multinational and multi-confessional country, the formation of ideas about other nationalities and the development of favorable interethnic relations among the younger generation is an extremely urgent task of the education system. This problem is particularly acute in the North Caucasus region, as one of the most multinational territories in our country. The purpose of the study is to substantiate the application of an ethnocultural

approach in foreign language lessons as a factor contributing to the formation of ethnocultural and general cultural knowledge, the development of students’ self-awareness as subjects of cultural dialogue and carriers of unique ethnocultural traits, the harmonization of interethnic relations, and therefore to the consolidation of the all-Russian nation, the preservation of peace and the integrity of Russia.

Research Methods. Main research methods: critical analysis of modern scientific research in the field of ethnocultural foreign language education, study of scientific and methodological literature on research issues, analysis, generalization and classification of information.

Results and Discussion. The actualization of the use of ethnocultural foreign language education in a multinational region is revealed, the ethnic composition of the North Caucasus Federal District is studied, the use of an ethnocultural approach to form a positive ethnic identity and successful interethnic communication is justified, the ethnopsychological characteristics of North Caucasian schoolchildren as representatives of a particular region of residence are identified.

Conclusion. Conclusions are drawn about the need to apply an ethnocultural approach in the system of foreign language teaching, since the use of this approach contributes to achieving more effective results in mastering a foreign language by increasing motivation to study it. The ethnocultural approach is one of the most important directions in teaching a foreign language, which contributes to the formation of ethnocultural and general cultural knowledge and the development of ethnic identity and a culturally appropriate attitude to the world.