INTEGRATING INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATIVE COMPETENCE (ICC) INTO ENGLISH AND LEGAL EDUCATION IN UZBEKISTAN

This study investigates the integration of Intercultural Communicative Competence (ICC) into English language and legal education in Uzbekistan, highlighting the growing necessity to connect language instruction with cultural understanding and professional application. Grounded in theories of intercultural communication and competence, the research explores how ICC development equips learners with the skills to engage effectively in cross-cultural professional contexts. Employing a qualitative approach—combining document analysis, semi-structured interviews, and classroom observations across two higher education institutions—the study identifies ongoing efforts to embed intercultural perspectives within curricula and pedagogy. The findings indicate increasing recognition of ICC’s value among educators and students; however, practical implementation remains inconsistent due to limited resources and methodological challenges. The study concludes that systematic teacher training, curriculum reform, and experiential learning opportunities are essential to foster intercultural awareness and communication skills. Overall, the research underscores ICC as a key competency for preparing Uzbekistan’s future legal professionals to operate successfully in globalized academic and professional environments.