Multimodal literacy is the ability to comprehend various modes of communication or discourse effectively and to be able to give an appropriate response to the received message.

The types of multimodal texts include paper-based, live and digital texts. Paper-based multimodel texts refer to print materials such as books, newspapers, posters, comics or novels. Live multimodal texts refer to dances, performances, storytellings, and many more. This mode of text combine modes such as gestural, spatial, audio and oral language in order to succeed in interpreting and making meaning. The third one which is the digital multimodal texts refer to films, animations, slideshows, digital books and posters, podcasts and webpages that could be accessed either offline or online through a computer or other similar gadgets.

Throughout my teaching career, I’ve been incorporating the use of technology in teaching language classes. Based on my experiences, one of the most common and effective multimodal text is the use of videos. In EFL teaching, the internet is a good resource when it comes to educational videos on chants, rhymes, songs, pronunciation practice and many more. Young students do not only enjoy the colorful and cute animations, but they also get the meaning of sounds through the help of the images and animations. In this way, the students are able to make meaning of the nuances they hear and sing. Another example of a very helpful multimodal text is discussion forums. For more matured and independent students, they could enjoy interacting with their fellow learners online while gaining insights on a certain topic. I think discussion forums could be easily accessed but one of the most accessible way or platform is the use of social media. Social media platforms such as Twitter, facebook, and others offer an easy and simple way for students to engage in discussions either through a post, thread, groups and groupchats. Nowadays, multimodal literacy is vital in learning especially in learning languages. The widespread use multimodal texts offers learner accessible, yet meaningful ways to communicate and interact with one another or with a material.

https://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/teachers/teachingresources/discipline/english/literacy/multimodal/Pages/multimodaloverview.aspx