DIGITAL MINIMALISM: WHAT DOES IT IMPLY FOR LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION?

Digital tools and social media deluge our personal, social and educational lives. Information and communication technologies are now an apparently useful component of education. However, it is necessary to exercise caution in technology use in language instruction, due to addictive use patterns, excessive social media use, excessive gaming, digital overload, along with lack of focus due to distractions from social media. Minimising digital clutter and mindful use could help language educators and students to make most out of technology in language instruction. Identifying some strategies for finding the best tools and focusing on them are also among valuable minimalist strategies. This paper presents an adapted version of Cal Newport’s concept of digital minimalism in language learning contexts, with a particular focus on factors that negatively affect psychological well-being and academic performance among university students. First, it provides and overview of digital minimalism in general terms. Secondly, it provides a summary of its principles that could be adapted to language education. Finally, it discusses what digital minimalism means for language instruction by highlighting its pedagogical implications.