New language learning environment: Employers'-learners' expectations and the role of teacher 4.0

Abstract

The research attempts to reveal distinctive features of four basic patterns of the educational paradigm; aims at investigating the role of a teacher in a new languagelearning environment and finding a new approach to education for a "Teacher 4.0" to conform to technology-related changes in the society and, consequently, to employers' expectations. The data were collected and analysed via mixed research methods based on three stages, which allow revealing the needs of learners and employers, validating the learners' skills to be formed, determining the ways for demanded skills formation and outlining the role of a teacher in the new learning environment. The findings identify that the most demanded skills for new learners are digital literacy and critical thinking. The last one along with problem-solving are of great interest to employers as the most significant educational stakeholders. These skills make a core set sought after by a professional market. Based on received data, the functions of a teacher in the formation of these skills are stated and the educational environment for foreign language teaching is presented.