Immersive technologies: research directions and dynamics

The article is devoted to the analysis of current trends and assessment of the didactic potential of immersive technologies in the process of organizing practical training for pre-service foreign language teachers. The relevance of the study is determined by the contradiction between the growing number of applicants for pedagogical programmes and the persistent staff shortage in educational establishments of Russia, as well as the insufficient level of graduates’ readiness for professional activity and responding to the challenges of the state-of-the-art educational environment. The aim of the research is to identify the level and dynamics of scientific interest in the issue of applying immersive technologies in education. The research methods imply theoretical analysis of scientific literature, generalization, systematization, and bibliometric analysis of data from the eLibrary.ru electronic library and the Scopus database for the 5 years preceding the study (2020–2024). The research results are described, and conclusions are drawn about the dynamics of publication activity in scientific journals on the use of immersive technologies in education. The main trends in the development of immersive foreign language teaching are identified. Special attention is paid to the potential of immersive technologies in developing the professional competence of pre-service teachers and preparing them for independent pedagogical work in educational institutions. The data can be useful for researchers in the field of higher education and can be used in the organization of pre-service teachers` practical training.