Media Work: Language Teaching Through Media Literacy

For language learners finding their way in new environments, the deluge of daily media messages--billboards, signs, videos, movies, memes, and advertisements--may be overwhelming. Yet this media provides engaging, accessible opportunities to teach about linguistic features; representations of people, places, and ideas; and social and cultural topics. With an informed, methodical, and purposeful pedagogy, Media Work can help teachers cultivate students’ critical media literacy skills along with language learning.

Media Work offers a practical, hands-on approach to illustrate how language, imagery, and media platforms convey meaning. With almost 100 illustrations for use in teaching and many valuable sample lessons, the book brings to life the processes of observing, interrogating, interpreting, reflecting, and responding to a wide variety of media. Drawing upon critical perspectives from applied linguistics, communication, and media studies (e.g., semiotics, critical discourse analysis, media ecology), it develops a conceptual model that can be adapted for a range of ages and contexts. Chamberlin’s approach enables students to investigate the origins, purposes, and implications of messages that surround them in their everyday lives. With sample topics that range from pets and food to identity and discrimination, teachers can give students opportunities to learn more about their own communities and reflect on their reactions to media messages. By addressing the disinformation and propaganda that are prevalent in today’s media, teachers can also help students confront messages about social issues in order to gain knowledge, confidence, and agency.

Carla R. Chamberlin is Professor of Applied Linguistics and Communication Arts & Sciences at The Pennsylvania State University, Abington College.