NEW LITERACIES: CURRENT PERSPECTIVES ON TEACHING ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE

Abstract

The new literacies studies encompass a notion of language as social practice (BRANDT; CLINTON, 2002) and the understanding that it is necessary to foster the development of critical thinking citizens/students (BRASIL, 2006), aiming at social change. This paper aims to introduce the theories of New Literacies (BAYNHAM; PRINSLOO, 2009; LANKSHEAR; KNOBEL, 2003; STREET, 1984) and its relevance to research in the field of teaching English as a foreign language and teacher education. It presents and discusses a group of recent theories that serve as the theoretical basis for a possible epistemological change in teaching English as a foreign language, especially in public schools.

Keywords

• New literacies
• Teaching English as a foreign language
• Teacher education