DEVELOPING INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION THROUGH READING AUTHENTIC ENGLISH TEXTS

In the era of globalization and international integration, intercultural communication competence has become one of the essential skills for successful participation in academic, professional, and social life. Reading authentic English texts plays an important role in the development of intercultural communication because such texts expose learners to cultural values, communication styles, traditions, and worldviews of English-speaking societies. This article examines the role of authentic English texts in developing intercultural communication competence among students and foreign language learners. The study analyzes the educational value of authentic materials, including literary works, newspapers, academic articles, digital media, and online communication resources. Special attention is given to the contribution of authentic reading to cultural awareness, language development, critical thinking, empathy, and global understanding. The article also discusses challenges associated with authentic text comprehension, such as linguistic complexity, cultural references, and differences in communication conventions. The findings demonstrate that authentic English texts provide learners with meaningful opportunities to engage with real cultural contexts and improve intercultural understanding. The research emphasizes the importance of integrating authentic materials into foreign language education in order to prepare learners for effective communication in multicultural environments.