Using a Popular TV Comedy Series in Teaching English:Focusing on Frasier

Chang, Sunmee

Article

Journal of English Teaching through Movies and Media 2015;16(4):25-50.
Published online November 30, 2015.

Using a Popular TV Comedy Series in Teaching English:Focusing on Frasier

Abstract

A number of studies on utilizing audiovisual materials, such as films, TV dramas, sitcoms, and so forth, have been conducted. Now it is well-known that audiovisual materials are sources of authentic input of language and culture that are a great help in stimulating and facilitating the learning of foreign or second language. However, not all teachers welcome these materials in that they don’t know what to teach and how to use the materials. This paper is intended to show an example of an audiovisual material that can be effectively used for teaching adult learners especially at advanced or higher level. A popular TV comedy series, Frasier, well-written and full of linguistic and cultural contents, is selected. Characteristics of each character, unique linguistic features/ discourse of characters, and intertitles that are almost exclusively found in the show are discussed. The learners will be able to acquire linguistic and cultural knowledge at the same time as they go through an episode by episode or a segment by segment of the show with the guide of the teacher. Frasier is so full of linguistically and culturally rich contents that more research from a perspective of applied linguistics or sociolinguistics is expected.

Key Words: TV show;audiovisual materials;discourse;English teaching;English learning