INTERDISCIPLINARY INTEGRATION AS A MEANS OF DEVELOPING FUTURE TEACHERS’ DIDACTIC COMPETENCE

Abstract

This article examines interdisciplinary integration as a means of developing future teachers’ didactic competence within English language teacher education at pedagogical universities in Uzbekistan. Didactic competence is understood as the ability to transform subject knowledge into coherent instruction through informed planning, classroom interaction, assessment, and adaptation to learners’ needs. The article adopts a conceptual and analytical approach to explore connections among linguistics, language teaching methodology, educational psychology, pedagogy, and digital literacy. It considers how these disciplines can contribute to shared instructional problems while retaining their distinct perspectives. The analysis proposes a framework centred on interdisciplinary learning objectives, problem-based lesson design, collaborative microteaching, guided analysis of teaching practice, and reflective assessment. Particular attention is given to tasks that require prospective English teachers to explain language features, anticipate learning difficulties, select appropriate instructional strategies, and interpret evidence of learner understanding. Multilingual classroom contexts and cooperation between university educators and school mentors inform the framework’s intended application. The article argues that interdisciplinary integration can create opportunities for students to connect disciplinary understanding with professional judgement when assignments, feedback, and teaching experiences are coherently organized. The proposed relationships remain theoretical rather than empirically demonstrated.