Introduction. Training a future foreign language teacher for professional activity involves not only developing professional skills, but also developing sociocultural competence at the proper level, which will allow future teachers to feel confident in the role of a teacher, introduce students to manifestations of foreign language culture, and convey national cultural values. Mastering sociocultural competence involves targeted work on the following aspects: linguacultural, national-cultural, and socio-pattern. The purpose of the article is to analyze the didactic capabilities of current media products for more effective development of sociocultural competence of future foreign language teachers.

Materials and methods. The authors consider in the article methodological potential of such components of the digital Internet space as memes, podcasts, short and reel videos with the aim of forming sociocultural competence of students at a higher level. Particular attention is paid to the possibilities of integrating the above-named Internet content into the traditional process of teaching foreign language. Memes, podcasts, short and reel videos introduce students to authentic realities of the country of the studied language, with its cultural underground, give insights of events in the field of politics, economics and culture, and also help to refute stereotypes and emphasize the importance of true national values. The relevance of these media products appeals to the personal sphere of students and increases their motivation to study a foreign language.

Results. The efficiency of the use of modern media products for the formation of sociocultural competence is confirmed by the analysis of the products of students’ activities, observations of teachers and self-assessment of future foreign language teachers. At the reflection stage, students note that it is easier for them to find a compromise solution to a difficult situation with a sociocultural context, as well as a reduction in psychological and language barriers when communicating with representatives of a foreign language culture. The use of authentic media products gives the process of learning foreign language an adaptive nature.

Discussion. The authors summarize the results of the analysis of works of scientists on the problem of using media materials for the purpose of forming the sociocultural competence of students in foreign language classes. A conclusion is made about the high potential of using media materials in linguistic education, since they contribute to the development of students’ learning motivation and the maximum disclosure of their personal and creative potential. Analysis of various pedagogical positions allows to conclude that the provisions set out by the authors in this article mainly correlate with the positions of the pedagogical community on this issue.

Conclusion. In conclusion, the authors summarize the work carried out to develop students’ sociocultural competence at a higher level, analyze the possibilities of memes, podcasts, short and reel videos, which enable the teacher to use various types of classroom work, as well as organize independent work of students aimed at developing sociocultural competence. The growth of the formation of professionally significant qualities necessary for successful work, soft skills and socio-cultural competence will allow future foreign language teachers to integrate successfully into the sphere of professional activity.

The necessity of forming socio-cultural competence of future foreign language teachers, including the linguacultural aspect, the national-cultural aspect and the socio-pattern aspect, has been substantiated;

The efficiency of integrating memes, podcasts, short and reel videos into the traditional process of teaching foreign language for the purpose of immersion in the socio-cultural context has been proven;

The productive nature of using media products to acquaint students with lexical units of varying levels of complexity, with the national culture and behavioral patterns of its representatives has been confirmed.

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