Abstract:

In the current conditions of the digital economy development, there is a need to transform the educational paradigm and revise existing approaches and learning models to develop general digital fluency, social and emotional skills for success in the new digital world.

Education digitalization put forward new requirements for the modern teacher of foreign languages. They are related to the ICT competencies improvement, digital infrastructure development, and different information technologies use in the educational process. This study aimed to determine the necessary digital skills of a modern teacher in the context of education digitalization to identify the main requirements for them and promising areas for improvement in advanced training courses for public education workers. The new role of the teacher in teaching digital skills is defined.

Educational digital skills are well-established, automated behaviors based on knowledge and skills in digital devices use, communication educational applications, and networks to access and manage information. Digital skills enable educators to create and share digital educational content, work with a massive flow of information, communicate, and solve effective teaching and social activities in general.

The article considers the learning process from the point of view of the lifelong learning principle. It describes new educational solutions that affect all learning formats, both full-time and distance, virtual and interactive. The integration of new technologies in teaching practice becomes the key to success in the digital education world. The experience we have described in applying modern training models at the Center for Continuing Education at the Institute of foreign languages (Peoples' Friendship University of Russia) confirms this. To develop digital competencies among teachers, the author's professional development program "Smart Technologies in Modern Education" is being implemented.

It is necessary to develop the continuing professional education system by developing and implementing new practice-oriented training programs for teachers in IT use in schools and universities. Also, teachers should take part in real and virtual internships on new equipment and exchange of experience and training on current MOOC courses. It will ensure to achieve the set goal of teaching community forming and improving digital skills.

Keywords:

Education digitalization, digital skills, life-long learning, smart technologies in FLT (foreign language teaching), digital competencies.