Cross-Cultural Communication in Multi-Ethnic Educational Space

Abstract

Migration processes that have embraced the whole world and serve as one of the specific features of the 21st century have necessitated revision of priorities in preparation for cross-cultural communication. Traditionally it was common practice to prepare students for cross-cultural communication abroad while today, Russia numbers hundreds of multi-ethnic and multi-cultural companies and organizations both in the private and the state sectors. University authorities take certain efforts to help international students adapt to the teaching process. But no one considers it necessary to prepare Russian students for facing other cultures that are represented by their peers from the various regions of Russia. Lecturers face the same problem and often fail to realize that students who are seemingly reluctant to work in the classroom are culturally motivated. In both cases, the cultural clash may create communication barriers in academic communication and provoke inter-cultural conflicts. That explains the necessity of systematic work with the aim of preparing both students and lecturers for cross-cultural communication in the multi-ethnic educational space.