Information Literacy as a Factor of Developing Teaching Competency in Foreign Language Teachers in the People`s Republic of China

Abstract

The problem of developing information literacy in modern society is urgent because the ability to use information resources is one of the ways to carry out effective professional activity. The aim of our study is to analyse the development of information literacy of foreign language teachers in the PRC. The following research methods have been used for this purpose: comparative pedagogical analysis and empirical data analysis. The obtained survey results were processed using qualimetric techniques. The results of the survey allowed determining a need to develop information literacy in Chinese foreign language teachers. For deeper analysis, observation of teachers was conducted during classes, which allowed determining areas of work with them on understanding the component of pedagogical competence as an individual professional element and the value attitude towards information resources. The main conclusions of the study provide for identification of the ways to develop information literacy in Chinese foreign language teachers. At the same time, possibilities of using modern interactive methods for information literacy in Chinese foreign language teachers were identified. Promising areas of further research may be the study of the use of interactive methods in combination with collaborative technologies to develop information literacy in Chinese foreign language teachers.