ENGAGING LEARNERS THROUGH MULTIMODALITY INSIGHTS FROM FOREIGN LANGUAGE TEACHING IN ALBANIA
Главни садржај чланка
Сажетак
In the dynamic landscape of contemporary education, foreign language teaching needs to adopt innovative practices that resonate with diverse learners and enhance language proficiency. This situation is particularly significant in the Albanian context, where efforts to improve student engagement and learning outcomes must navigate both promising pedagogical approaches and ongoing systemic barriers. By examining the integration of digital technologies and visual and performing arts, the paper aims to fill an empirical gap related to the use of multimodal strategies within the Albanian pre-university education. Drawing from empirical data collected through a self-reported survey of 67 foreign language teachers in different schools in the district of Elbasan, the findings underscore the perceived value of these methods. The paper recommends comprehensive policy reforms, targeted teacher training, and curriculum innovation to support sustainable, multimodal learning environments that reflect Albania’s evolving educational needs.
Downloads
Детаљи чланка
Референце
Alhasani, M. D. (2016). The urgent educational shift from general ELT to ESP: A follow-up reaction to globalization dynamics in Albania. Journal of teaching English for specific and academic purposes 4(2): 327–336.
Balliu, V. (2017). Modern teaching versus traditional teaching – Albanian teachers between challenges and choices. European journal of multidisciplinary studies 2(4): 20–26.
Bushi, J., & Neçaj, L. (2024). Curriculum development and the challenges of foreign language teachers in pre-university education in Albania. International journal of current science research and review 7(12): 9327–9332.
Canale, M., & Swain, M. (1980). Theoretical bases of communicative approaches to second language teaching and testing. Applied linguistics 1(1): 1–47.
Chandler, D., & Munday, R. (2011). Multimodality (adj. multimodal), in A dictionary of media and communication (Oxford University Press). Accessed on 5 September 2025. URL: <https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/acref/9780199568758.001.0001/acref-9780199568758-e-1806>.
Cho, H., & Kim, Y. (2024). Comparing the characteristics of EFL students’ multimodal composing and traditional monomodal writing: The case of a reading-to-write task. Language teaching research 28(6): 2487–2512. https://doi.org/10.1177/13621688211046740
Choi, J., & Yi, Y. (2016). Teachers' integration of multimodality into classroom practices for English language learners. TESOL journal 7(2): 304–327.
Council of Europe. (2017). Launch of the language education policy profile for Albania. Accessed on 5 September 2025. URL: <https://www.coe.int/en/web/education/-/launch-of-the-language-education-policy-profile-for-albania>.
Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (5th ed.). SAGE Publications.
Early, M., Kendrick, M., & Potts, D. (2015). Multimodality: Out from the margins of English language teaching. TESOL quarterly 49(3): 447–460. https://doi.org/10.1002/tesq.241
Eisenmann, M. (2020). Multimodal literature in ELT: Theory and practice. CLELE journal 8(2): 52–73.
Grapin, S. (2019). Multimodality in the new content standards era: Implications for English learners. TESOL quarterly 53(1): 30–55. https://doi.org/10.1002/tesq.443
Grapin, S., & Llosa, L. (2020). Toward an integrative framework for understanding multimodal L2 writing in the content areas. Journal of second language writing 47: 100710. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jslw.2020.100710
Hafner, C. A. (2020). Digital multimodal composing: How to address multimodal communication forms in ELT. English Teaching 75(3): 133–146.
Halliday, M. A. K. (1978). Language as social semiotic: The social interpretation of language and meaning. Edward Arnold.
Howatt, A. P. R., & Widdowson, H. G. (2004). A history of English language teaching. Oxford University Press.
International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) (2021). Albania – PIRLS 2021. https://pirls2021.org/albania/
Jewitt, C. (2008). Multimodality and literacy in school classrooms. Review of research in education 32(1): 241–267. https://doi.org/10.3102/0091732X07310586
Jiang, L., & Luk, J. (2016). Multimodal composing as a learning activity in English classrooms: Inquiring into the sources of its motivational capacity. System 59: 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.system.2016.03.002
Kakoulli Constantinou, E. (2023). The multidimensional role of the English for specific purposes practitioner in today’s changing societies: Voices from around the globe. Journal of teaching English for specific and academic purposes 11(3): 621–632. https://doi.org/10.22190/JTESAP230811048K
Kapllani, B., Çela, E., Mita, R., & Progri, G. (2025). Arts and their integration with curricula in other fields, as a source of qualitative methodologies in teaching [Study report]. Shpresa Print.
Kapurani, E. (2016). Results of implementing communicative language teaching method in English language learning in 9-year elementary schools (Albanian context). European journal of language and literature 2(1): 56–64.
Kessler, M. (2022). Multimodality. ELT journal 76(4): 551–554. https://doi.org/10.1093/elt/ccac035
Koca, S., Stavre, B., & Kacani, L. (2024). Exploring the needs and challenges in teaching English grammar communicatively in the Albanian context. International journal of language and literary studies 6(4): 261–273. https://doi.org/10.36892/ijlls.v6i4.1877
Kress, G. (2003). Literacy in the new media age. Routledge.
Kromidha, E., & Tabaku, E. (2011). Improvement of foreign language teacher education in Albania. Problems of education in the 21st century 38: 50–60. Accessed on 10 September 2025. URL: <http://www.scientiasocialis.lt/pec/node/650>.
Larsen-Freeman, D. (2000). Techniques and principles in language teaching (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.
Lemke, J. (1998). Multiplying meaning: Visual and verbal semiotics in scientific text, in Reading science, eds. J. R. Martin & R. Veel (London: Routledge): 87–113.
Li, M., & Akoto, M. (2021). Review of recent research on L2 digital multimodal composing. International journal of computer-assisted language learning and teaching 11(3): 1–16. https://doi.org/10.4018/IJCALLT.20210701.oa1
Lim, J., & Kessler, M. (2022). Directions for future research on SLA, L2 writing, and multimodality, in The Routledge handbook of second language acquisition and writing, eds. R. M. Manchón & C. Polio (London: Routledge): 325–338.
Lim, F. V., Toh, W., & Nguyen, T. T. H. (2022). Multimodality in the English language classroom: A systematic review of literature. Linguistics and education 69: 101048. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.linged.2022.101048
Manchón, R. M. (2017). The potential impact of multimodal composition on language learning. Journal of second language writing 38: 94–95.
Naqo, E. (2025). Teaching and learning Italian as a foreign language: Challenges for pre-university students in Vlora schools. International journal of research and Innovation in social science 9(8): 3054–3059. https://doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2025.908000247
Nunan, D. (1991). Language teaching methodology: A textbook for teachers. New Jersey: Prentice Hall International.
Peng, P., Gao, X., & Wang, J. (2024). Innovative practice of multimodal teaching mode in English education and teaching practice in colleges and universities in the new media era. Applied mathematics and nonlinear sciences 9(1): 2024421. https://doi.org/10.56294/dm2024421
Qu, W. (2017). For L2 writers, it is always the problem of the language. Journal of second language writing 47: 92–93. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jslw.2017.09.006
Richards, J. C., & Rodgers, T. S. (2001). Approaches and methods in language teaching (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press.
Salamanti, E., Park, D., Ali, N., & Brown, S. (2023). The efficacy of collaborative and multimodal learning strategies in enhancing English language proficiency among ESL/EFL learners: A quantitative analysis. Revista de Estudios sobre Enseñanza de Lenguas Extranjeras y Traductología 1(2): 114–126. https://doi.org/10.62583/rseltl.v1i2.11
Singh, P., & Richards, D. (2006). Teaching, learning and Vygotsky’s social constructivism: Learning as a social process. Journal of vocational education & training 58(1): 51–64.
Tardy, C. M. (2005). Expressions of disciplinarity and individuality in a multimodal genre. Computers and composition 22(3): 319–336. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compcom.2005.05.002
Vandommele, G., Van den Branden, K., Van Gorp, K., & De Maeyer, S. (2017). In-school and out-of-school multimodal writing as an L2 writing resource for beginning learners of Dutch. Journal of second language writing 36: 23–36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jslw.2017.03.001
Widdowson, H. G. (1978). Teaching language as communication. Oxford University Press.
