THE IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH LITERACY IN PREPARING COMPETITIVE ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHERS

Research literacy has become an essential professional competence for English language teachers in the knowledge-based society, enabling them to evaluate educational evidence critically, implement innovative teaching strategies, and engage in continuous professional development. The increasing internationalization of education requires future teachers to possess not only linguistic and pedagogical expertise but also the ability to access, interpret, synthesize, and apply scientific research in classroom practice. This study examines the role of research literacy in preparing competitive English language teachers through a mixed-methods research design. Quantitative findings indicate significant improvements in research competence, instructional decision-making, and academic confidence, while qualitative evidence reveals enhanced reflective practice and critical thinking. The study highlights the necessity of integrating research literacy into teacher education curricula to strengthen professional competitiveness.