The article compares modern and traditional pedagogical methods used in the process of teaching a foreign language in primary school, differentiates both the advantages and disadvantages of each of them, and indicates ways to supplement the shortcomings of traditional methods with new methods. Currently, the main methods used in teaching a foreign language are being considered. Among the new innovative methods that have recently appeared in the sphere of teaching foreign languages there are community language learning / counseling learning, the sugestopedic method, total physical response, the method of language teaching using information and communication technologies, consciousness-raising approach, task based learning, neuro- linguistic programming, guided discovery, the test-teach-test method. Their influence on the development of language competencies and creative abilities of primary school students are considered. The authors note that the main and most important condition of modern methodology in the process of teaching foreign languages is the creation of an artificial foreign language environment, i.e. the creation of a natural linguistic environment. The authors comment on the concept of "electronic linguistic environment" based on recent research. They show that "digital" children are completely immersed in the computer world, i.e. they live in an electronic linguistic environment and this allows them to solve the tasks of teaching a foreign language. The purpose of the article is to analyze traditional and modern educational methods used in modern English lessons. Activation of the student as the main figure of the educational process, the ability to work in close contact with other students, giving the student the opportunity to work independently, depending on their physiological, intellectual, psychological characteristics, is carried out using individual, paired, group, classroom and other forms of work. Both traditional methods and the latest modern methods are listed among the named teaching methods. Each method has its own characteristics. Therefore, it is very important to consider them in a comparative plan. Each old and new method has its advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, the methodology of teaching English always requires additions and improvements. They are of great importance for expanding the horizons of students, increasing cognitive activity, improving knowledge, skills and language competencies. The authors used the following methods: the descriptive methods, methods of systematization, analysis, interpretation were used in the course of the study. Тhe authors of the article note that methods of teaching a foreign language are of great importance for the comprehensive development of primary school students, obtaining high-quality education, good command of English, achieving good vital indicators, conclude that every teacher should be able to use best practices, developing their creative research and effectively teaching modern English. The results of learning through new methods, such as differentiated learning, project-based learning, communicative learning, information and communication training, etc., providing the formation of personality, its language competencies, will undoubtedly contribute to the independent development of the child, the formation of his language competence, the development of cognitive, creative abilities of students.