Show’em the Ropes: The Importance of Teaching ‘Slang’ in EFL Settings

Abstract

Slang has made its way into our everyday language and nowadays even dictionaries add words like Google, emoji and selfie. Slang language determines the way one community of speakers adapts to linguistic arising needs. Moreover, it is one of the factors that enhance fluency in a language. However, it contains words and expressions which are not easy to study in non-English speaking contexts since there is limited instruction and exposure to slang. Accordingly, slang may be considered an increasingly part of the English language which should be taken into consideration in second language settings. We would focus on students’ current knowledge of slang and the impact of social media in the acquisition of slang terms. Thus, the present study aims at analysing the gaps of undergraduate Spanish students of English in the University Jaume I English Studies degree regarding slang language. Besides, we also consider the factor that might have contributed to their actual slang knowledge. Finally, we provide pedagogical resources for the implementation of slang teaching in EFL settings.