Teaching Sociocultural Aspects in the SFL Class in Lithuania: Analysis of the Perception of Sociocultural Content

Summary This article aims to study the field of sociocultural aspects teaching in the Spanish as foreign language classes in Lithuania and development of intercultural competencies of the students. In the curriculum of the language teaching, is very important the topic of sociocultural behaviours in the different Hispanic communities. The conducted research aimed to analyse how this topic can be studied during the Spanish classes in Lithuania and what is the receptivity of sociocultural elements among the local students. This paper also talks about the intercultural competences of the students, and the process of assimilation of cultural behaviours, which are different from the native culture. In order to achieve the aim, the data collection was carried on among students through observations and interviews in depth, using a qualitative method. The opinions and interpretations of Spanish and Hispanic traditions, celebrations and customs given by the students, were used for the qualitative analysis. The results of the research showed that students’ perception of the Spanish-speaking world contains prejudiced ideas and this is why it is important to include the sociocultural content in the classes of Spanish as a foreign language.