LINGUOCULTURAL ASPECTS OF INTERNET COMMUNICATION IN SHAPING FOREIGN LANGUAGE TEACHERS' PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE

The emergence of global digital communication networks has radically transformed the educational landscape and redefined the professional competence required of foreign language teachers. In addition to linguistic knowledge and pedagogical skills, educators today must possess the ability to navigate and integrate the linguocultural dimensions of online communication into their teaching practice. This paper explores how the distinctive features of internet linguoculture-multimodality, hybridization, and intercultural referencing—affect the formation of communicative and didactic abilities in teachers of foreign languages. Drawing on discourse analysis of online platforms and a survey of practicing English language teachers, the study demonstrates that participation in internet communication fosters adaptability, intercultural awareness, and innovative didactic strategies. The findings underscore the need for teacher education programs to incorporate training in digital discourse and intercultural online practices to ensure the development of comprehensive professional competence.