A COMPARATIVE APPROACH TO TEACHING UZBEK AND ENGLISH-SPEAKING CULTURES THROUGH FILM-BASED ACTIVITIES

Teaching culture through comparative film-based activities provides opportunities for EFL learners to explore similarities and differences between Uzbek cultural practices and those represented in English-language films. This approach connects foreign language learning with learners' existing cultural knowledge and encourages them to interpret communication in relation to social context. The paper examines the theoretical foundations of comparative cultural instruction and proposes practical film-based activities focusing on greetings, hospitality, family relationships, politeness, classroom interaction, and nonverbal communication. It argues that guided comparison can strengthen intercultural awareness, communicative competence, critical thinking, and respect for cultural diversity. Particular emphasis is placed on avoiding stereotypes, recognizing variation within cultures, and encouraging students to support their interpretations with evidence. The paper concludes that a comparative approach can make English language learning more meaningful by connecting students' own cultural experiences with the interpretation of unfamiliar communicative situations.