Joking aside! – the use of jokes in foreign language teaching
Marcin Hościłowicz
Uniwersytet w Białymstoku, Wydział FilologicznyAbstract
Humour is an important tool in understanding the culture of the country of the target language. Joking accompanies us in developing language skills since our earliest years e.g. when children use the word play to create their own lexicon, phrases or even their own language while playing with their mates. Jokes should be used in the foreign language teaching process, as it is a very effective tool in developing every learner`s linguistic competence. Word plays and linguistic jokes may be used in foreign language lessons to develop the use of syntax, lexicon as well as reading and listening comprehension. The author introduces the typology of jokes that is helpful in creating teaching curricula. A number of practical ways of using jokes in EFL as a tool to develop linguistic skills is proposed.Keywords:
joke, humour, word play, linguistic competenceReferences
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