TOPOLOGY OF DISTANT LEARNING PLATFORMS IN ELT

Digital educational platforms are widely used in improving the quality of language learning, blended education and managing distance teaching. There are different types of digital platforms which are aimed at specific aspects of language teaching: opened, partly opened and closed. Knowledge of potentials, advantages and disadvantages of these platforms helps to organize the educational process. Many usual methods of teaching can be computerized. Most work that we conduct during language teaching includes reading, writing, listening and grammar exercises can be conducted with the help of digital environment. This technology provides access to the resources any time, makes them available any place and expands opportunities of language learning. Platforms individualize language learning tuning the interface of exercises, speed of work and offering many various tasks with different types of check. They assist students' communication all over the world and make international exchanges possible. Platforms have similar core but each one has some specific features to attract users. Some of them are accessible only for authorized teachers and students. They are closed platforms with strict plan of course and without possibility of change. Partly opened platforms with opportunity of uploading necessary additional materials. Both these platforms are paid but provide participants with course, materials and support. Opened platforms are free and any concerned user can create the course. These platforms are suitable exactly for teachers with much educational material and wish to collect it on one contemporary resource for fast access and updating. Most platforms require different skills and of computer knowledge for manipulating smooth uninterrupted educational process and achieving the aims.