Internet Meme as a Computer-Mediated Technology to Teach Foreign Languages
Posted: 27 May 2020
Date Written: 2020
Abstract
Different computer-mediated technologies are now widely used in educational process. Using internet memes as a computer-mediated technology is a current trend in teaching foreign languages. Internet memes can be viewed as multimodal units of internet communication which present information with the help of verbal and visual modes. Internet memes as a modern technology for teaching foreign languages have a number of undeniable advantages. First of all, internet memes are authentic discoursive units, which reflect the mentality of a particular nation. That is why, using internet memes in the teaching process can raise cultural awareness. Secondly, internet memes are highly visualized due to the nonverbal component. Therefore, internet memes translate information in a vivid and explicit way which boosts students’ interest and motivation. Besides, internet memes are colloquial and folklore phenomena, which give students an opportunity to learn modern colloquial words, jargon and slang. That may enrich students’ linguistic competence. To sum up, internet memes can be regarded as an innovative technology to teach foreign languages.
Keywords: internet meme, computer-mediated technology, internet communication, foreign languages teaching, linguistic competence
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