Using emoji at school ‘could improve language skills’

Jul 15, 2017 - 15:54
Jan 30, 2026 - 16:55
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Using emoji at school ‘could improve language skills’
Emoji are apparently good for children (Picture: Getty Images)

Using smiley face, poo and broken heart emoji at school may sound like a strange idea but it could improve children's language skills, according to an expert.

Vyvyan Evans, a former professor of linguistics at Bangor University, thinks teachers should be using more of the animated icons in class.

He admitted people may find the suggestion absurd but said it was because they didn't understand how powerful emoji was.

He told the Times Education Supplement: ‘People that pooh-pooh it and tu their nose up and think it's puerile and childish don't understand how communication works.'

He said in his new book, The Emoji Code, he didn't believe the animated icons made youngsters more stupid.

Professor Evans suggested if emoji were part of lessons they would stimulate something we don't at the moment.

He added:‘Emojis are actually making us more effective communicators in the digital communication space because they're filling in something that's actually missing… the non-verbal cues that tell us how the message should be interpreted.'

So if he gets his way kids could soon be putting a thumbs up at the end of their sentences and not getting in trouble for it.

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Mike Gallagher Mike Gallagher is a Georgia-based freelance journalist covering local news, community developments, and regional issues that matter most to residents across the state. Writing for Georgianewsday.com since 2016, Mike has built a reputation for clear, balanced reporting and a strong connection to the communities he serves. His work spans city council decisions, school board updates, small business features, public safety reports, and statewide policy changes. In addition to local coverage, Mike occasionally reports on state politics and national headlines, offering readers context on how broader decisions impact Georgia communities. Known for his steady, fact-driven approach, Mike prioritizes accuracy, fairness, and accessibility in every story. Whether covering a town hall meeting or breaking political developments, he aims to inform readers with clarity and integrity. Outside the newsroom, Mike remains actively engaged in Georgia’s civic landscape, always seeking the next story that shapes the state’s future.