Imma Miralpeix

Audiovisual input has been shown to promote vocabulary acquisition in foreign language learners. However, there is limited research on the effects of extensive viewing in a classroom context with young beginner learners of English. This study investigates foreign language vocabulary learning through explicit teaching and additional viewing of subtitled TV series, as well as the role that second language (L2) vocabulary size and language aptitude may play. A teaching intervention lasting one academic year was implemented in primary school. Weekly, two groups of beginner learners of English enrolled in grade 6 and aged 11 (N = 47) were taught a set of target words. One group was additionally exposed to the target vocabulary through an episode of a TV series with subtitles in Spanish, their native language. Gains in form and meaning recall of the target vocabulary were measured. Participants’ L2 vocabulary size and language aptitude were also assessed at the beginning of the intervention. Multivariate tests showed that explicit teaching accounted for most vocabulary learning, although viewing the TV series significantly benefited learners at two testing points. L2 vocabulary size contributed to explaining lexical gains, while language aptitude did not have such a significant effect.

This paper is part 5 of a series of workshops that examines the properties of some simple models of vocabulary networks. While previous workshops dealt with activating words in the network, this workshop focuses on vocabulary loss. We will simulate two possible ways of modelling attrition: (a) explicitly turning active words OFF, and (b) raising the activation threshold of a few words in a network. The workshop is linked to an online practice room where readers can explore these processes for themselves.

This chapter presents the results of a study in which two groups of primary school English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners watched one episode a week of the animated TV series Curious George – with L1 subtitles or L2 subtitles – over a period of five months. These beginner students were tested on comprehension and vocabulary recognition immediately after watching each episode and in two special episodes without subtitles (middle and end of treatment). Although significant differences were not always present, the L1-subtitles group tended to score higher in comprehension, and the L2-subtitles group in L2 word recognition. The findings also emphasize the central role of language aptitude and vocabulary size for L2 learning through audiovisual materials in instructional settings.

This study compares comprehension and vocabulary gains in L1 Russian (upper)-intermediate adolescents who watched two episodes of a Netflix series in L2 English for the same amount of time under two conditions: Repeated Viewing (RV) with captions; and Viewing with the Chrome extension Language Reactor (LR), with individually regulated tools to enhance learning. Both conditions were equally helpful for comprehension and vocabulary learning (relative gains up to 51%), suggesting the comparability of effects of repeated viewing and watching with LR if the watching time is the same. A qualitative analysis of learners’ viewing behaviour revealed differences between the conditions: while the RV group focused more on the episodes’ content, the LR group paid closer attention to language.

In this ‘First Exposure’ (FE) study, 106 Catalan/Spanish young adults proficient in English watched a short advert with the audio in English and subtitles in Polish, a language they were not familiar with. Results indicated that vocabulary learning took place, as their meaning recognition scores were significantly higher than those of a control group who had not seen the video. The most recurrent learning strategies these novice learners used were associations with imagery and with vocabulary in previously learned languages, along with attention to specific input factors such as frequency of word occurrence. Findings reveal how audiovisual input can help vocabulary acquisition at FE, as well as factors relevant for learning from video viewing at these very first stages.

In this concluding chapter, we bring together findings from the studies in this volume and place them within the context of prior research on audiovisual input, particularly within the broader framework of the SUBTiLL project. The findings are organized into three sections: captioned viewing, learning outcomes across various language dimensions, and individual differences. The first section addresses several concerns regarding captions, including their appropriateness for use with primary school children, a comparison with L1 subtitles, and caption enhancement. The second section delves into the observed improvements in vocabulary acquisition, content comprehension, grammar, pronunciation, and pragmatics. The third section examines individual differences, specifically focusing on vocabulary size, reading skills, language learning aptitude, and age. Finally, we discuss implications and propose future research directions.

This paper is the fourth in a series of workshops that examine the implications of the vocabulary network metaphor. This workshop is looks at how a model vocabulary network reacts when changes are made to the links between the words that the network is comprised of. The workshop presents a set of computer programs that allow readers to examine these processes for themselves.

Learning a Foreign Language (FL) beyond the classroom has become common practice thanks to advances in technology and the use of English as a Lingua Franca. This study explores the types and amount of out-of-school informal exposure to English that Spanish secondary school students typically receive in their daily lives. Informed by recent literature on the influence of extramural activities on FL proficiency, the second aim of this study is to investigate the potential relationship between out-of-school exposure and academic performance, as measured by English school grades. Data were obtained from a questionnaire answered by secondary school students aged 12–16 (N = 2015) regarding the different types and amounts of activities they perform in English outside school. Findings revealed that teenage learners were most frequently exposed to English through audiovisual input. Social media interaction, along with reading and writing (with or without digital support), were closely associated with their English marks. Other popular activities, such as listening to music or playing video games, were not found to be related to proficiency or even showed a negative correlation with it, while less popular activities, such as watching subtitled movies and series, could have greater potential for language learning. This study contributes to the understanding of informal practices in FL learning settings and provides insights that can help bridge interactive language practices and formal curriculum to create holistic learning experiences for language learners.

This paper is part 3 of a series of workshops that examine the properties of some simple models vocabulary networks. This Workshop focusses on how the vocabulary network responds when words become easier to activate. The Workshop is linked to an on-line practice room where readers can explore this proccesses for themselves.

This article presents two classroom-based studies lasting one academic year: Study 1 with beginner learners of English as a foreign language and Study 2 with intermediate learners. In each study, learners in the comparison and experimental groups were introduced to new vocabulary through regular explicit instruction in class, but only those in the experimental group additionally watched subtitled (Study 1) or captioned (Study 2) television series where the new vocabulary appeared. Lexical gains, computed for each academic term, showed an overall positive effect of television viewing, although more differences between groups were found towards the end of the intervention, and more significant results were obtained in Study 2. These longitudinal data provide relevant information on the role of extensive viewing for language learning in instructional settings, which is often missed in one-off studies outside and inside the classroom.