Intercultural approach to teaching foreign languages as a reflection of cross-cultural differences

The paper deals with overcoming difficulties and barriers in the process of communication between Russian and international experts. The study analyzes the main differences between the British and Russian culture concepts (the interpretation of politeness, the use of cliché in communication, and the emotional state of communicators). The authors classify the principles of the British communication focusing on verbal behavior in particular communicative situations in comparison to the equivalent Russian ones. They elaborate on the key concept of the British culture that is privacy. The research reveals the problems of teaching the students to communicate adequately in various communicative situations. Besides, it describes several methods of intercultural approach to teaching a foreign language, which will help students gain and develop social and intercultural competence, increase tolerance to different cultural values, understand the logic of another culture.