THE ROLE OF DIGITAL LITERACY IN MODERN ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING AT HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

Digital literacy has become a central component of modern English language teaching in higher education because contemporary communication, academic research, professional collaboration, and intercultural exchange are increasingly mediated by digital environments. In university settings, English is no longer taught only as a system of grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation; it is also taught as a means of participation in online academic and professional communities. Against this background, digital literacy expands the aims of English language teaching by combining linguistic competence with the ability to search, evaluate, create, interpret, and ethically share information through digital tools.