PERSPECTIVES OF IMPLEMENTING THE CLUSTER APPROACH IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE EDUCATION IN UZBEKISTAN

The integration of education and production through a cluster approach represents an innovative strategy for aligning foreign language teaching with the actual needs of employers. This article examines the prospects of applying the cluster approach in teaching English as a foreign language (EFL) in Uzbekistan, focusing on the collaboration between higher education institutions and industrial enterprises. The cluster approach allows curricula, thematic content, and competencies to be adapted based on labor market requirements, ensuring that graduates possess practical language skills relevant to professional contexts. The study reviews international and regional literature on education–industry partnerships, evaluates the benefits of cluster integration for EFL, and considers the challenges of implementation in Uzbekistan. Findings suggest that cluster-based foreign language education enhances employability, contextualizes learning, motivates students, and fosters innovation in curriculum design. However, successful implementation requires institutional coordination, teacher professional development, and mechanisms to regularly update programs according to employer needs.