Friend or Foe? Netspeak in English Language Teaching

Abstract

The aim of this study is to assess the existence of written language variations deriving from texting, computer-mediated communication (CMC) and the Internet, also known as Netspeak, in modern teaching materials as well as examine its pedagogical implications. In addition to a survey of themes and exercises in textbooks intended for English language teaching, published between 2005 and 2010, a questionnaire was sent to English teachers working in upper secondary schools, aiming to assess both attitudes to Netspeak, as well as the frequency of teaching using computer-mediated communication. The questions were open-ended, the answers were analysed and used in a discussion about the incorporation of CMC and Netspeak in English language teaching. The results indicate that the subject is not being used by teachers and the textbooks contained very few elements related to CMC and the Internet. Further, there were no findings related to Netspeak in the teaching materials and none of the respondents had used it in their teaching.