Language learning from watching cartoons in the primary EFL classroom

Abstract

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.