THE EFFICIENCY OF INTERNET-BASED TECHNOLOGIES FOR FOREIGN LANGUAGE LEARNING AT CONTEMPORARY NON-LINGUISTIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION

Abstract

Contemporary learners at institutions of higher education belong to the group of digital natives. This group has special characteristics because its representatives use digital technologies in all spheres of their everyday life and feel comfortable in online spaces. As a consequence, the question that comes up is whether it is possible to use Internet-based technologies for learning, in particular, for foreign language learning. Foreign language is one of the obligatory disciplines at non-linguistic institutions of higher education of Ukraine; furthermore, it is obligatory as the entrance exam for master’s degree programme. The application of Internet-based technologies requires new approaches and methods of teaching and implies a certain change in teacher’s role toward the role of facilitator and motivator. The article considers the advantages of application of Internet-based technologies for effective foreign language learning: large quantity of authentic materials, including dictionaries, encyclopedias; real communication environment; opportunity to learn the culture of a foreign country (socio-cultural effect). Internet-based technologies can attract students’ attention toward foreign language learning; motivate them especially in case of integration of language constituent and professional one. Different ways of application of Internet-based technologies for students’ professional training at non-linguistic institution of higher education have been presented in the article.