Abstract:

The use of technologies has its place in modern education and language education at any level. It represents an ideal opportunity to create positive conditions for the development of learning autonomy. E-learning, mobile and smart technologies as well as multimedia open up unlimited possibilities for creating information-rich learning environments that allow students to be active and to find the necessary information themselves, without simply absorbing the information presented by someone else.

The paper focuses on use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL), Technology Assisted Language Learning (TALL) in foreign language teaching and learning. First, the terminology and concepts in general are explained. Further, the study provides qualitative meta-analysis of research conducted in using information and communication technologies, computer assisted language learning, e-courses, social media, mobile applications, e-learning, blended learning, and smart technologies in teaching English as a foreign language.

The original research carried out at PhD. level in Slovakia in the course of 2013-2022 will be analysed with the aim to explore the progress of ICT and the development of digital skills within different aspects of foreign language education. The research studies will be analysed from the perspective of their research nature, research sample, data collection instruments, digital tools applied, and research outcomes. Next, the paper delivers the key findings and provides insight into the current state of knowledge. Finally, it tries to identify the possible directions in which future research in this field might be heading for.

Keywords:

Information technologies, English as a foreign language, meta-analysis, current state of knowledge, research in Slovakia.