Music as a Communication Factor in Foreign Policy

The relevance of this study is conditioned by the increasing importance of cultural channels of communication in the context of the globalisation of international socio-cultural space. The realities of the 21st century require a comprehensive analysis, considering the new foreign policy environment where multidirectional flows of international communication, including of media character, such as cinematography, theatre, TV, streaming, and music, are playing a qualitatively new role. This paper will therefore focus on the growing role of “cultural diplomacy” (hereafter without the quotes), expressed through the media interaction of sovereign and supranational actors at the international level. The purpose of the study is to establish or deny the impact of cultural diplomacy, including through musical performance, on foreign policy and political discourse at the international level. In the course of the study, primary data from original research by European and American authors was analysed and the heterogeneous structure of cultural diplomacy theory, expressed through the dialectical nature of positivism and theory criticism, was represented. The methodological basis used during the study is expressed in general scientific methods, which include the method of analysis, synthesis, generalisation, deduction and induction, and special – sociocultural, cultural-anthropological, and cultural-historical. The theoretical approach to the study of the multidimensional phenomenon of cultural diplomacy was based on constructivism, which best meets the objectives. Conclusions regarding the effectiveness of cultural diplomacy were drawn from the research. The field of music and diplomacy is far from being exhausted by the recent surge in scholarly attention and has the potential to grow exponentially. Coordinating a better understanding of past practices with an innovative and flexible approach to contemporary policy-making will create new opportunities to reconsider and redefine the role of music in the pursuit of sustainable diplomatic ties in the international arena

Art Therapy as an Effective Means of Overcoming Stress: Neurophysiological Features

The article presents the results of research into the use of the most effective means to overcome stress in children and adults, in particular, the use of art therapy. The relevance of the study is determined by the need to build stress resistance in crisis situations, which are a fairly common phenomenon in the context of modern problems.The study defined the essence of the concepts of "fear", "anxiety" and "art therapy". Aspects related to the impact of stress on children, its causes, and the main trends in overcoming it were formed. The work describes art therapy as one of the most effective methods of preventing stress and building stress resistance. The results of the study confirm the hypothesis regarding the use of art therapy as a method of overcoming stress and at the same time as prevention. The most effective means of overcoming stress have been determined, in particular fairy-tale therapy, art therapy, etc. The causes of stress as neurophysiological features in a child were also investigated. The prerequisites and factors of stressful situations are characterized. Methods of synthesis, analysis, research, scientific and descriptive methods were used to ensure an effective research result. The research became the basis for determining ways to overcome stress, for the formation of effective means of diagnosis and psychocorrection. To determine effective approaches to overcoming stress, scientific research on the problem was analyzed and features were determined. The results of the study became the basis for establishing the features of stress in crisis conditions, analyzing the most effective methods of overcoming stress, describing neurophysiological factors that cause stress, and characterizing art therapy as the most effective method of overcoming stress. The article is the result of research and analysis of scientific intelligence on the specified problem.</p

STEAM Approach to the Development of Future Teachers’ English Language Skills

The article contains the results of a study aimed at experimental testing of the effectiveness of the STEAM approach in the development of English language skills in future teachers. Random selection was used for sampling, the sample was subsequently divided into the experimental group (EG — 49 students) and the control group (CG — 54 students). The groups were aligned by randomization. An experimental methodology consisted in the creation of teams in EG, which worked on the development of socially significant projects, communicating in English and developing English language skills during the semester. Classes were held online in ZOOM and BigBlueButton with video recording, which allowed analysing the achievements and pay attention to mistakes for further correction. The obtained results were confirmed by statistical calculations of Pearson’s chi-squared test. The study recorded the problems related to the need to explain students the nature, content and process of this approach, planning and coordination of the timetable and curricula related to the integration of academic subject in more detail. The conditions and opportunities for developing English language skills combined with soft skills (communication, critical thinking, creativity and collaboration) require further research

STEAM approach to the development of English language skills in future teachers

The article contains the results of a study aimed at experimental testing of the effectiveness of the STEAM approach in the development of English language skills in future teachers. Random selection was used for sampling, the sample was subsequently divided into the experimental group (EG — 49 students) and the control group (CG — 54 students). The groups were aligned by randomization. An experimental methodology consisted in the creation of teams in EG, which worked on the development of socially significant projects, communicating in English and developing English language skills during the semester. Classes were held online in ZOOM and BigBlueButton with video recording, which allowed analysing the achievements and pay attention to mistakes for further correction. The skills were diagnosed through expert assessment before and after the experiment in EG and CG in terms of four indicators: listening, reading, speaking, writing. It was found that as a result of the experiment, the share of students with a high level of English language in the experimental group exceeded the same figure in the control group by 8% and, accordingly, with an average level — by 7%. An increase of 11% and 10% in the number of students with high and medium levels of English language skills, respectively, was diagnosed in the experimental group after the experiment. At the same time, the number of students with sufficient and low levels decreased in similar proportions: by 11% and 10%. The obtained results were confirmed by statistical calculations of Pearson’s chi-squared test. The study recorded the problems related to the need to explain students the nature, content and process of this approach, planning and coordination of the timetable and curricula related to the integration of academic subject in more detail. The conditions and opportunities for developing English language skills combined with soft skills (communication, critical thinking, creativity and collaboration) require further research