Methods of forming socio-cultural competence of high school students at the lessons of English via Internet technologies

Abstract

This article examines the methodology for developing the socio-cultural competence of senior secondary school students in English language lessons through the use of Internet resources. The essence and significance of socio-cultural competence is described, and effective approaches to its development—such as authentic video materials, web-quest technology, blogging, and virtual cultural exchange—are analyzed. The ways of implementing each approach are explained with specific examples, and their impact on students’ understanding of other cultures through a foreign language, as well as on the improvement of their communicative skills, is discussed