Marina A. Chigasheva

The rapid development of information technologies leads to their wide penetration into various spheres of society. In the last three years, the education system has been subjected to the maximum impact of this aspect. Under the influence of objective reasons, the traditional format of face-to-face classes has been replaced by distance learning, which has made significant adjustments to the system of the educational process organization. The relevance of the new phenomenon in mass education is also evidenced by the presence of various terms. Distance, remote or online learning implies the use of modern information technologies. The greatest difficulties arise in the case of teaching a foreign language, which is due to the specificity of the discipline and the communicative orientation of learning. For this reason, one of the main tasks in organizing a distance format is the choice of a communication platform that allows classes to be conducted in accordance with the main didactic principles. The aim of this study is to make a comparative analysis of four available domestic communication platforms (Sberjazz, Yandex. Telemost, Kontur. Talk and TruConf) and evaluate their functionality in relation to foreign language teaching based on the criteria identified in a previous study based at MGIMO of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The testing of the platforms under consideration was conducted in German language classes with undergraduate students of MGIMO University. The article was prepared using general scientific methods of collecting and analyzing information, as well as the method of classification. As a result of the comparative analysis, the authors conclude that the Kontur. Talk platform has the greatest advantage. Its use in the organization of distance foreign language classes seems to be the most optimal option and allows to ensure the implementation of the main didactic principles. The theoretical significance of the study is seen in the proposed criteria for classifying communication platforms. The study may be in demand by teachers when choosing a communication platform for conducting foreign language classes in the distance learning format.