Specificity of the Concepts «Media Literacy», «Media Competence» and «Media Education» in the Foreign Language Teachers Training

The article summarizes information on the concepts «media education», «media literacy» and «media competence». The author emphasizes that foreign language teachers ought to be media literate, media competent, be able to use the means of media education, and teach students to create their own media space. Based on the analysis of scientific achievements of domestic and foreign researchers in the field of media education, the essential features of media literacy and media competence as important characteristics of the result of media education of pupils and students are revealed. It has been proven that foreign language teachers’ media competence is related to the development of skills of media immunity, reflection and critical thinking as psychological mechanisms of media literacy, which provide conscious consumption of media products based on effective media orientation, adequate evaluation of information in foreign languages. The relevance of the use of educational media products in the foreign language teachers’ professional activity is determined. The conditions for the formation of foreign language teachers’ media competence are revealed – the desire for self-improvement, clear internal motivation, the availability of relevant knowledge in the field of media education, involvement in practical activities to evaluate media texts and create one’s own media products.