EFL Learning through Multimodal Literacy

In this modern age, visuals are a critical object in language learning as well as a powerful learning aid that can promote students learning and interest. As images need to be regarded as a main learning object in language classrooms in the digital age, visual literacy, which demands both textual and visual decoding skills, has been acknowledged as a significant part of literary skill. In this regard, graphic novels can be a great tool for teaching visual literacy skills to young adult learners and a good alternative text for changing the mechanical and discouraging Korean English classroom environment based on skill-oriented learning. Moreover, as the significance of multimodal literacy has been growing rapidly and many graphic novels contain a variety of content worth considering, graphic novels need to be re-evaluated as a literary genre and also an efficient educational text for promoting language learning. Therefore, English instructors are suggested to provide graphic novels as interesting yet educational English language materials in order to strengthen students multimodal literacy skills and accomplish learning effects and positive affects in English learning.