The Use of Information and Communication Technologies to Increase the Motivation of Students When Studying English as a Foreign Language

Introduction

Information technology is rapidly developing in all spheres of social life transforming relationships between people and providing innovative opportunities for learning and human development. The key objective of education in the digital age is to create conditions that allow each person to adapt to a new format of work, study or interaction (Garanina et al., 2021).

The use of technology in education is not a new concept, and computer modeling has long been used as a method to facilitate learning (Hamilton et al., 2021). The technology of the twenty-first century has brought about many changes in the educational system providing free access to educational resources and innovative teaching methods. Traditional strategies for learning English are being superseded by the latest technological methods that highlight a personalized approach to educational activities and active social presence of students in the process of acquiring professional communication skills (Rao, 2019). Technology contributes to positive interaction between students and teachers and stimulates collective learning of English. Co-learning based on a high-quality interaction and mutual support helps strengthen a positive attitude towards learning, improves academic performance and enhances students' self-esteem (Bucea-Manea-Țoniş et al., 2020). In order for technology to be fully integrated into the teaching and learning system, it must be an intermediary tool for cognitive modeling, skill development, special education and collaborative knowledge construction (Gaballo, 2019).

The implementation of modern digital technologies in practical learning activities has a constructive impact on the effectiveness of learning. Functionally, modern digital tools motivate students to learn English, develop students' communicative competence, improve student interaction, and create an effective learning environment for learning outside the classroom (Abbasova & Mammadova, 2019). The introduction of innovative systems and teaching methods contributes to faster and more comprehensive progress in learning. By harnessing the learning power of technology, students can better assimilate and hone their language knowledge and skills. The Internet provides easy, immediate and virtually unlimited access to software, applications and a variety of secondary platforms and materials that can accelerate English learning and teaching. The introduction of modern technology tools such as computer and multimedia devices, mobile phones, audio/visual effects and social media platforms optimizes English language learning and empowers teachers to communicate with students in a more systematic and advanced way. In addition, students show more enthusiasm and interactivity when using modern technologies for learning English (Alqahtani, 2019).

Modern digital technologies offer great opportunities both for the involvement of students in educational activities and the achievement of three major goals: 1. learning a foreign language; 2. preparing students for real life and professional situations in a non-native language environment; 3. improving communication skills (Symonenko et al., 2020). Due to the fact that language learning is an active learning process that should take place in the human life cycle (Mansor et al., 2021), the learning strategy should be harmonized with the motivational support for the student at all stages of educational activities.