INVESTIGATION OF PRIMARY SCHOOL FOREIGN LANGUAGE TEACHERS' LINGUADIDACTIC COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS IN UTILIZING MATERIALS AND MODERN TEACHING TECHNOLOGIES

This study investigates the linguadidactic competencies and skills of primary school foreign language teachers in Kazakhstan, with a particular focus on their ability to effectively utilize teaching materials and modern educational technologies. As the demand for foreign language proficiency continues to grow, the role of teachers in fostering early language development becomes increasingly crucial. In this context, foreign language teachers' linguadidactic teaching competencies and their ability to use materials and modern teaching technologies were determined as the aim of this study. The study was conducted with causal and correlational survey methods from quantitative research methods. 'Teachers' Linguadidactic Teaching Competence' and 'Teachers' Skills in Using Materials and Modern Teaching Technologies' scales were used to collect the data. The findings reveal varying levels of competency in both linguadidactics and the use of modern teaching technologies. While some teachers demonstrate advanced skills, others struggle with integrating digital resources effectively. According to the findings of the study, teachers' linguadidactic teaching competencies and their skills in using materials and modern teaching technologies were found to be at a moderate level. In another finding of the study, teachers' linguadidactic teaching competencies and their skills of using materials and modern teaching technologies show differences according to gender variable. In addition, linguadidactic teaching competencies showed differences according to professional seniority variable. As teachers' professional seniority increases, their linguadidactic teaching competencies increase. Finally, teachers' ability to use materials and modern teaching technologies significantly affects their linguadidactic teaching efficacy.