Al-Siyabi, J. & Al-Kaabi, K. (2010). Omani Editorial Cartoons for the EFL. In V. Tuzlukova, & R. Al Mahrooqi (ed). The Omani ELT Symphony: Maintaining linguistics and soci-cultural equilibrium. (111-120). Muscat: Sultan Qaboos University. Omani Editorial Cartoons for the EFL

Omani editorial cartoons are potentially great tools for designing teaching materials due to many powerful characteristics that are significant in many ELT approaches. These characteristics are supported and called for by research in the area. This chapter primarily highlights local editorial cartoons definitions and samples of these cartoons along with their universal and Omani specific themes. The chapter presents a number of crucial characteristics of local editorial cartoons that make them ideal instruments for the EFL context. They are funny, visual, authentic, multi-purposed, engaging, culturally appropriate, a window to the target culture and related to real-life contemporary issues. They are also skills and sub-skills integrating tools and a learning opportunity to enhance sociolinguistic competence. The chapter offers tasks based on these cartoons. It further addresses some Omani students’ reactions to cartoon tasks as well as possible concerns with regard to their use in classroom are addressed too.