Television in the language classroom: A call to embrace one of our most powerful resources
List of Authors
  • Allen Walzem

Keyword
  • ESL, Television, sitcom, vocabulary

Abstract
  • Thanks to recent advances, in the 21st century, numerous apps for phones and PCs, zoom and skype calls, electric dictionaries and other advanced technology can be employed to help language learners develop their skills more efficiently. However, one of the most popular and powerful technologies has been around for decades, and has been woefully under-utilized by educators: television programs. Huge teams of writers, technicians, and artists work to make regular television programming as entertaining and absorbing as possible. When viewed in the target language, with appropriate subtitles, such programming is a powerful tool for developing two of the four language areas, listening and reading, as well as giving a huge boost to grammar and vocabulary, often without the student making any special effort whatsoever. Most surprisingly, the benefits may even approach those of reading, especially in vocabulary size, even for passive viewers. In this paper we will look at research which has been done in this area, and ways to tap into “TV power” in the ESL classroom.

Reference
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