Role of hypertext in teaching foreign languages

Abstract

The future of teaching foreign languages is associated with a screen culture, which will contribute to diversification and multiplication of educational sources. Therefore, along with a teacher, hypertext technology and information network claim the role of an authoritative source of knowledge about the world. The image of modern language is the image of hypertext space. The use of hypertext interactive technologies leads to a change in the patterns of knowledge understanding and assimilation, which are related to the visual interpretation of image, form, and color. Thus, the problem of cognition on the basis of hypertext technology lies in learning new forms of dialogue and communication, when instead of a text, a hypertext and a context are being read. The didactic principles and methods traditionally used in teaching foreign languages should be enhanced with new approaches. Thus, students will be able to link the information from the hypertext network with the information they already know and to acquire new knowledge in completely new situations. The hypertext is a complex dynamic and multidimensional textual network, where language usage can be observed, making it possible to effectively form students’ linguistic and communicative competence.