This paper deals with the topic of multimodal literacy with particular reference to how the analysis of political cartoons can be applied as a critical reading learning activity in English lessons in secondary and higher education. Despite the proclamation of a multimodal turn in the wake of ubiquitous digital communication, educational institutions in general still focus mainly on the modes of spoken and written language. Consequently, students often cannot develop the necessary competences enabling them to become critical readers of the multiplicity of multimodal texts which they encounter throughout their lives. Therefore, multimodal literacy should be integrated into the curriculum. This article demonstrates how political cartoons can be used in the English language classroom to develop students’ multimodal literacy. A template for close reading activities is proposed and applied to a cartoon on a current topic, i.e., the refugee crisis, in an exemplary analysis. In addition, possible follow-up activities, integrating further cartoons, are sketched. © 2018 Elsevier Ltd

Multimodal literacy Cognitive processing Social semiotics Refugee crisis Multimodality (Political) Cartoons

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