Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) is an inquiry-based pedagogical tool grounded in teacherstudent discussions. It was created originally to improve a participant's ability to interpret, describe, and analyze imagery and do this through active observation and collective discussion. In this presentation, I explore how VTS goes beyond visual literacy and is a highly adaptable elicitation and communication technique for language learning and in developing reciprocally respectful communication skills, which are very relevant for English language teaching in Sweden. VTS could be described as a “meta-visual-lingual” activity as it is the act of talking out load about the thinking inspired by a visual object. And this, especially when part of the activity’s focus is language development. The impact of VTS could be significant in the Swedish education system. It has proven very effective in nurturing the abilities and skills which are valued in Sweden such as those explicated in the compulsory school curriculum. VTS has also proven to be a very efficient technique in language teaching and can directly help to fulfil several of the ambitions of the curriculum and the English language syllabus.