The Role of Digital Technologies in Foreign Language Learning in the Context of Life-Long Learning Paradigm

Abstract

Introduction. The article explores the importance of digitalization in foreign language studying within the concept of life-long learning. The authors underscore the need to create integrated educational space, based on building efficient educational tracks, embracing various forms of e-learning and applying distant educational technologies. The high degree of relevance of life-long learning is attributed to rapid updating of information and knowledge as well as rising competition on the labour market and increasing requirements for professional competence.It is underlined that digital technologies can only be efficient once they are employed within a particular educational framework, designed to achieve specific goals and meet students’ needs and requirements. The paradigm of life-long learning and creation of unitary educational space with regard to foreign language learning suggest that higher educational institutions, which possess the necessary scientific and teaching capacities, should take the leading role in designing, applying and spreading educational digital technologies. The accomplishments and experience of universities and institutes in that sphere should be employed in all the stages of education. Such institutions enjoy sufficient resources and competencies to create online and distant learning courses, which provide access to high quality further education to various categories of students. The authors come to the conclusion that ensuring human right to lifelong learning, including foreign language learning, requires timely meeting changing labour market requirements, building individual educational tracks, and applying modern digital technologies.Materials and methods. The methodical approach of the research refers to the specified and known empirical and theoretical methods in digital linguodidactics. The analysis of mapping out foreign language learning in the framework of the digital educational system is extensively used in the article. Other general and specific research methods – dialectical, comparative, modeling, ect.-have also been applied in this study.Results. The high degree of relevance of creating digital educational environment and life-long learning is attributed to rapid updating of information and knowledge, which stimulates motivation for their acquisition, specification and application. Moreover, rising competition on the labour market and increasing requirements for professional competence, including excellent command of a foreign language, create a powerful incentive for continuous learning, achieved within integrated digital educational system.Discussion and conclusion. The research, that has been carried out in the article makes it possible to conclude that creation of the integrated digital educational environment based on modern learning techniques encourages life-long education, particularly in the context of foreign language learning.