A study promoting Language Awareness in order to develop the ability to use expressions in English through movies

Lee, Ja won

Article

Journal of English Teaching through Movies and Media 2008;9(1):121-138.
Published online June 30, 2008.

A study promoting Language Awareness in order to develop the ability to use expressions in English through movies

Ja won Lee

표현력 강화를 위한 언어자각력 증진에 관한 연구

이자원

Abstract

This paper emphasizes the importance of developing an initial Language Awareness in order to build up the ability of learners to use English language expressions. Three sample activities designed to promote Language Awareness were developed and through the involvement of thirteen participants their effectiveness was studied. The participants learned English expressions by watching movies and television sitcoms and engaging in different activities based on the input they had experienced: discussion activities, discussion plus caption activities, and discussion plus silent-viewing caption activities. According to this study, discussion plus silent-viewing caption activities appear to be the most effective in promoting Language Awareness. It is suggested that this strategy is more effective in producing the successful acquisition of expressions as it allows learners to focus on language forms and is more supportive from the viewpoint of psycholinguistics.

Key Words: language awareness;form-focused instruction;movies