The paper covers some methods of using GIF-animation and emoji in the context of teaching English in blended or distance learning format. Their purpose is to keep the attention of students, enhance their motivation to learn a foreign language, brighten up the course of the lesson, avoid monotony, and provoke student response to the material studied at the emotional level. The use of GIF-animation and emoji is considered as one of the ways to update the emotional component of learning and introduce modern elements of gamification in teaching English. The author summarizes and systematizes ways and methods of using GIF-animation and emoji in the context of blended learning of the English language, and divides them into groups. These include the use of GIF-animation and emoji during the presentation of educational material; in online communication with students; as a basis for exercises or tasks with “emotional” vocabulary; as an independent learning object in the lesson; for writing assignments; using for speaking activities; creating GIF animations and emoji by students; as illustrations and visual reminders. The content of each group of methods is revealed, examples of ways of their application are given.