Political comics and cartoons in language education

Abstract

Integrating comics and political cartoons into foreign language classrooms as forms of pop culture can be a stimulating motivational learning activity. However, few studies have explored this area in general, and more particularly with regards to teaching Arabic as a Foreign Language (AFL) in the United States. This chapter attempts to shed light on this subject matter by providing specific examples and activities that illuminate the integration of these pop culture forms into teaching AFL in the USA. Relevant activities will be illustrated based on the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages guidelines as well as on students’ levels of proficiency. Along with these classroom activities, this contribution will address how AFL teachers can utilize these cultural artifacts in teaching their students Arabic language and culture in an integrated way, and how they can develop students’ multimodal and critical skills.