Critical Multimodal Literacy and Oral Proficiency Development

Abstract

This descriptive case study aimed to investigate the impact of critical multimodal literacy in English classes, which included the use of parody films and metaverse-based User-Created Content (UCC) related to disability, on Korean university EFL learners’ conventional literacy and awareness of disability. Data were collected from three participants with varying English proficiency and educational backgrounds over a two-month period, with weekly sessions lasting two and a half hours. A combination of qualitative and quantitative methods, such as questionnaires, interviews, group discussions, reflective papers, and metaverse-based UCC productions, was employed to assess the effectiveness of critical multimodal literacy in English speaking and disability education. Korean EFL students, influenced by Confucian culture, tend to hesitate when expressing their opinions publicly. In response, this research proposes using avatars to create alternative textual representations of their viewpoints instead of recording personal video presentations. This innovative approach aims to evaluate changes in students’ attitudes towards disabilities and improvements in their oral communication abilities. The overall findings indicated that (1) The critical multimodal literacy practice, employing parody films based on fairy tales in the classroom, plays a significant role in the development of conventional literacy among Korean adult EFL learners. (2) The practice of critical multimodal literacy, which involves using parody films of fairy tales that address disabilities, helps EFL learners broaden their perspectives on disabilities and modify their social behaviors. (3) Attitudes and reactions toward disabilities varied according to the individual experiences of EFL learners.