LEVERAGING PICTURES FOR ELT: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
Keywords:
English language teaching, multimodal learning, pictures in ELT, technology in language learning, visual aidAbstract
The integration of pictures in English Language Teaching (ELT) has been widely acknowledged as an effective strategy to enhance language acquisition. This systematic review aims to synthesize existing empirical studies on the use of pictures in English Language Teaching (ELT), focusing on their effectiveness, influencing factors, and implementation challenges. Following the PRISMA guidelines, 30 studies from reputable academic databases, including PubMed, Mendeley, ScienceDirect, Taylor & Francis, and Connected Paper, were analyzed for the period from 2020 to 2025. The findings suggest that pictures play a crucial role in enhancing vocabulary acquisition, writing, reading comprehension, and speaking skills. Additionally, their effectiveness is shaped by learner characteristics, the type of visual media, instructional strategies, technology integration, and socio-geographical contexts. The study also highlights that using pictures fosters student engagement and facilitates meaningful learning experiences, especially when combined with digital tools. However, challenges such as limited infrastructure, inadequate teacher training, and insufficient visual representation in textbooks persist in specific contexts. The review highlights the importance of adaptive and technology-driven approaches in enhancing the role of pictures in English Language Teaching (ELT), thereby ensuring their relevance across diverse learning environments.
Downloads
References
Alaei, M. M. (2019). The Role of Visual Scaffolding in Enhancing Iranian EFL Students ’ Writing Ability. 8(2), 187–211.
Alimyar, Z., & Lakshmi G, S. (2021). A Study on Language Teachers' Preparedness to Use Technology During COVID-19. Cogent Arts and Humanities, vol. 8, no. 1. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311983.2021.1999064
Balchin, K., & Wild, C. (2022). Exploring the role of context and collaboration in normalizing technology use in English language teaching in secondary schools in Malaysia. Computer Assisted Language Learning, 35(7), 1437–1457. https://doi.org/10.1080/09588221.2020.1803360
Bartram, B. (2020). Teaching English language learners through technology. Professional Development in Education, 35(4), 681–682. https://doi.org/10.1080/19415250902778505
Birdsell, B. J. (n.d.). The Role of Images in ELT (English Language Teaching) Textbooks: A Case for Visual Metaphors. Journal of Liberal Arts Development and Practices, 2020.
Chapelle, C. A., & Sauro, S. (2017). The Handbook of Technology and Second Language Teaching and Learning. Wiley.
Corbett, J. (2003). An Intercultural Approach to English Language Teaching. Multilingual Matters.
Deni, R., & Fahriany, F. (2020). Teachers’ Perspective on Strategy for Teaching English Vocabulary to Young Learners. Vision: Journal for Language and Foreign Language Learning, 9(1), 48–61. https://doi.org/10.21580/vjv9i14862
Durrant, A. C., Kirk, D. S., Moncur, W., Orzech, K. M., Taylor, R., & Trujillo Pisanty, D. (2020). Rich Pictures for Stakeholder Dialogue: A Polyphonic Picture Book. Design Studies, 56, 122–148. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.destud.2018.01.001
Ghoushchi, S., Yazdani, H., Dowlatabadi, H., & Ahmadian, M. (2021). Nea multimodal discourse analysis of pictures in ELT textbooks: Modes of communication in focus. Jordan Journal of Modern Languages and Literatures, 13(4), 623–644. https://doi.org/10.47012/jjmll.13.4.2
Güngör, B., & Önder, A. (2023). Development of English Picture Vocabulary Test as an Assessment Tool for Very Young EFL Learners’ Receptive and Expressive Language Skills. Early Education and Development, 34(2), 572–589. https://doi.org/10.1080/10409289.2022.2043134
Hall, G. (2011). Exploring English Language Teaching: Language in Action. Taylor & Francis.
Harmer, J. (2015). The Practice of English Language Teaching (5th ed.). Pearson Education.
Honaker, J. D., & Miller, R. T. (2024). Wordless but not silent: Unlocking the Power of Wordless Picture Books. TESOL Journal, 15(1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1002/tesj.721
Hui, A. N. N., Chow, B. W. Y., Chan, E. S. M., & Leung, M. T. (2020). Reading Picture Books with Elements of Positive Psychology to Enhance Young Children's Learning of English as a Second Language. Frontiers in Psychology, 10(January), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02899
Hussain, S. (2022). The Role of Images in the Teaching and Learning of English: Practices, Issues, and Possibilities. Pakistan Languages and Humanities Review, Vol. 6, No. IV. https://doi.org/10.47205/plhr.2022(6-iv)31
Ika Apriani Fata, Syamsul Bahri, M. (2020). From Picture to Text : The Use of Pictures in ELT Writing Class. 18(2). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.24167/celt.v18i2
Karya, P. J., Takarroucht, K., Zano, K., & Zamorano, A. (2022). Developing a Prototype of Picture-Based Learning Materials for Teaching Speaking Skills. Journal of Language and Literature Studies, 2(2), 109–116. https://doi.org/10.36312/jolls.v2i2.763
Korkmaz, Ş. Ç. (2020). Picture Storybooks with Basic Literary Elements: ELT Prospective Teachers ’ Self-Assessments of Their Books. 2014, 488–504.
Leonardo, P., Saragih, D., Sibatuara, R., & Silaen, M. (2022). Teaching Writing Through Pictures for Junior High School Students. Romeo : Review of Multidisciplinary Education, Culture and Pedagogy, 1(2), 9–18. https://doi.org/10.55047/romeo.v1i2.86
Liando, N. V. F., Tatipang, D. P., Tamboto, G., Poluan, M., & Manuas, M. (2022). Pictures as a Learning Media in Teaching Vocabulary. Jurnal Ilmiah Universitas Batanghari Jambi, 22(3), 1944. https://doi.org/10.33087/jiubj.v22i3.2832
Liang, W. (2021). University teachers’ technology integration in teaching English as a foreign language: evidence from a case study in mainland China. SN Social Sciences, 1(8), 1–29. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43545-021-00223-5
Murdiono, M., Suharno, S., & Wuryani, M. T. (2020). Pengembangan Pembelajaran Pendidikan Kewarganegaraan Berbasis Karakter untuk Meningkatkan Kompetensi Kewarganegaraan Siswa. Jurnal Civics: Media Kajian Kewarganegaraan.
Navidinia, H., Ozhan, A. R., & Younesi, A. (2020). Using pictures in English as a foreign language (EFL) classrooms: Exploring its potential contribution for developing students’ writing skills. Asia Pacific Journal of Educators and Education, 33, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.21315/apjee2018.33.1
Nguyen, T. H. (2023). The Effects of Pictures on EFL Learners ’ Vocabulary Retention. The Effects of Using Pictures on EFL Learners ’ Vocabulary Retention. September 2022. https://doi.org/10.55217/103.v13i1.555
O’Brien, B. A., Seward, R., & Zhang, D. (2022). Multisensory Interactive Digital Text for English Phonics Instruction with Bilingual Beginning Readers. Education Sciences, 12(11). https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci12110750
Peng, N., & Chen, X. (2023). Model-based learning in cross-cultural communication: A mediating role of technology innovation acceptance in culture congruence and English language teaching for environmental education. Economic Research-Ekonomska Istrazivanja , 36(3). https://doi.org/10.1080/1331677X.2022.2162946
Permatasari, I., & Andriyanti, E. (2021). Developing students’ intercultural communicative competence through cultural text-based teaching. Indonesian Journal of Applied Linguistics, 11(1), 72–82. https://doi.org/10.17509/ijal.v11i1.34611
Prayudi, R. A., Hakiki, A. K., Putra, N. R. D., Anzka, T. O., & Ihsan, M. T. (2021). The Use of Technology in English Teaching & Learning Process. Jurnal Riset Dan Inovasi Pembelajaran, 1(2), 102–111. https://doi.org/10.51574/jrip.v1i2.38
Rahikummahtum, K., & Nurkamto, J. (2022). The Pedagogical Potential of Visual Images in Indonesian High School English Textbooks : A Micro-Multimodal Analysis. 14, 5979–5990. https://doi.org/10.35445/alishlah.v14i4.2171
Rintaningrum, R. (2023). Technology Integration in English Language Teaching and Learning: Benefits and Challenges. Cogent Education, vol. 10, no. 1. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2022.2164690
Stafford-levy, M., & Wiburg, K. M. (2020). Computers in the Schools : Interdisciplinary Journal of Practice, Theory, and Applied Multicultural Technology Integration. February 2015, 37–41. https://doi.org/10.1300/J025v23n03
Tarihoran, N. (2022). Teacher Candidates' Views on Using Technology in Developing English Language Teaching Materials. International Journal of Psychosocial Rehabilitation, 24 (8), 3005–3013. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.37200/IJPR/V24I8/PR280319
Tarihoran, N. A., Islam, U., Sultan, N., & Hasanuddin, M. (2024). The Use of Pictures and Their Effectiveness in English Language Teaching: A Systematic Review. July.
Tomlinson, B. (2014). Developing Materials for Language Teaching. Bloomsbury Publishing.
Urmonova N .M. (2021). The Effectiveness of Using Pictures in Foreign Language Classes. 7(110), 54–57.
Wright, A., & Bowers, R. (2010). Pictures for Language Learning. Cambridge University Press.
Wulandari, N., & Sholihin, H. (2020). Mastering the use of pictures in the culinary program at STP Sahid Surakarta. Tjyybjb. Ac.Cn, 27(2), 58–66.
Yasseen Shukr, H., & Adnan Jameel, T. (2022). Digital Technology in English Language Teaching and Learning. NTU Journal for Administrative and Human Sciences (JAHS), 2(2), 164–177. https://doi.org/10.56286/ntujahs.v2i2.240
