Digital Technologies for Self-Learning of Foreign Languages: An Overview of Opportunities

Abstract

The dynamic changes taking place in contemporary society underline the growing importance of non-formal education in the learning of foreign languages. In view of the current digital progress, (new) information and communication technologies (ICT), which facilitate access to learning content without any time and geographical limitations, are becoming an inseparable tool for non-formal language learning practices. The objective of this article is to demonstrate the role of digital technologies in the process of learning foreign languages in self-learning (self-education) conditions. The presentation covers, in particular, the usefulness of forms of learning using a virtual environment – mass online courses (MOOCs), online social learning and mobile education (m-learning). The consideration undertaken emphasises the specificity and potential of the indicated forms of learning for the purposes of language self-education.