Аннотация
As the influence of media continues to grow in the digital age, integrating media literacy education into language learning environments has become imperative, urging the educational system to change its pedagogy to be fully literate in the 21st century. Including media literacy in the school curriculum offers a transformative pathway for fostering students' critical and creative thinking, cultural awareness, and digital literacy skills in decoding the diverse media system. Therefore, this article examines the current state of media literacy education in foreign language classrooms in Kazakhstan. By assessing the challenges and opportunities inherent in integrating media literacy into language instruction, this study sheds light on the potential benefits of fostering media literacy skills among language learners in Kazakhstan's educational landscape. The study uses a qualitative methodology consisting of structured interviews with first-year students of Almaty and Astana universities who arrived from different parts of Kazakhstan. The results show that although media literacy is officially recognised, it is not a fundamental part of the national curriculum. Respondents admit that by developing critical thinking, communication skills and cultural awareness, media literacy increases language proficiency and equips them with the necessary tools to navigate the complexities of the modern media space. Purposeful preparation of students for orientation in the media space allows them to become effective communicators, discerning information consumers and active participants equipped with the necessary skills for the 21st century in a globalised society.