Using online tools Quizlet and WordWall to form foreign lexical competence of undergraduate students

Abstract

Introduction. Professional training of undergraduate students majoring in foreign language teaching requires special attention to the formation and development of the lexical competence in foreign languages which is seen as an integral part of professional competence of a language teacher. However, over the last couple of years instruction in foreign languages has had to transform into partial or full-time online format. Such conditions call for all participants of the educational process to adjust their approaches to realizing competency-based teaching and developing new digital competences. The article researches the structure of the lexical competence, formulates challenges which arise while working with lexis during lessons with undergraduate students, majoring in foreign language teaching as well as describes the content of the digital competence of foreign language teachers. The formation of the lexical competence can be optimized by integrating online tools which not only facilitate memorizing new lexis but also maintain and foster students’ motivation to learning foreign languages. There are 2 online tools that could be used in foreign language classes – Quizlet and WordWall . Furthermore, the article determines the role of online tools in teaching new lexis, suggests ways of working with them and points out a mutual benefit between regular work with online tools and development of the digital competence of future teachers of foreign languages. Materials and Methods. Аpplication of online tools Quizlet and WordWall in English and German classes, conducting a survey and feedback analyses, summarizing and interpretation of the collected data Results. А list of referenced sources that were collected during the research includes 30 Russian and foreign sources. This reference list made it possible to look into the structure of the foreign lexical and digital competences and thus it enabled the researchers to investigate how to form the lexical competence by means of online tools. Discussions and Conclusions. The survey has concluded effectivity of using online tools Quizlet and WordWall in forming foreign lexical competence of undergraduate students and proved their productivity in organizing students’ independent work and development of the digital competence.