"This article reviews the role of e-learning tools in the system of teaching foreign languages and formation of the phonetic-phonological competence of students learning German at the beginner level (so-called “from scratch”). The article dwells on the advantages and disadvantages of using e-learning tools in the process of teaching a foreign language in comparison with the traditional educational means; it also focuses on the problems of using e-learning tools including both methodological and software product constraints. Different approaches are discussed as well as the main task of linguistic education means of teaching a second language speaker. An introductory phonetic course plays an important role as it introduces a phonetic system of the German language, which includes articulation of sounds, special emphasis on its stress in different words and main types of intonation structures. The article also presents a model of e-learning introductory phonetic course in the German language which is based on contemporary demands and has a modular structure and comprises four training modules («Lesson», «Simulator», «Handbook», «Guide», «Control»)."