TEACHING SOCIOCULTURAL COMPETENCE THROUGH MULTICULTURAL LITERATURE IN MIDDLE SCHOOL

This paper explores the significance of teaching sociocultural competence to middle school students through multicultural literature. Sociocultural competence refers to the ability to understand and appropriately respond to cultural and social differences, a skill that is increasingly essential in a globalized world. By integrating multicultural literature into the curriculum, educators can expose students to diverse perspectives, foster empathy, and challenge stereotypes. The study highlights strategies such as guided discussions, role-playing, and reflective writing to engage students in critical thinking about cultural diversity. The findings suggest that using multicultural literature effectively enhances students’ awareness of other cultures and develops their sociocultural competence, preparing them for intercultural interactions in their personal and academic lives. Uzbekistan State World Language University in the Faculty of English Philology