Using Cartoon: An integrative approach to teaching multiculturism and second language

Abstract

This paper focuses on how cartoon can be used as a potential tool to teach multilingual learners and be incorporated as a language teaching material in the curriculum. In addition, the study also discusses that through cartoons, teaching and learning a language will not be the only target to achieve, but also to give exposure to multiculturalism and sharing cultural aspects with the learners at the same time. In this context, multiculturalism is going to be focused in the light of linguistics and language policy and psychological aspects. For this paper, four cartoon videos have been the primary sources of data to establish the importance of cartoons in teaching and learning of a language.

Furthermore, for the purpose of analysis four cartoons from four different countries have been selected. The cartoons are in German and Spanish languages produced in Germany and Spain respectively; and Japanese and Swahili languages produced in Japan and Kenya respectively. The study has observed that cartoon can be utilized as an important tool in learning a language, and has found that appropriate employment of cartoons can be a useful strategy to teach and exchange multiculturalism, which, in turn, will assist learners to understand the target language in the context of target culture.