The Effects of English Films on Learning English Speaking Skills: A Case Study at a Private University

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54855/ijte.25535

Keywords:

English films, English speaking skills, motivation, language learning

Abstract

While using films in English language learning is not a new idea, there is limited research on how films specifically affect speaking skills in EFL university contexts. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of English films on students’ speaking performance. Conducted at a private university’s English department, the research involved 112 English majors for a survey and semi-structured interviews with four students and four teachers. This study was conducted with a mixed-method approach to explore how much English films enhanced the speaking skills in terms of vocabulary and pronunciation, while improvements in fluency and confidence were reported to a lesser extent. Some challenges were identified, consisting of difficulty understanding unfamiliar accents, fast-paced dialogue, and cultural references. Both students and teachers had positive attitudes toward using films to improve English speaking skills, and offered implications that well-chosen film materials can enrich speaking instruction and encourage students to move beyond the traditional learning approaches. 

Author Biographies

  • Ho Minh Hoang, Faculty of Foreign Languages, Van Lang University, Vietnam

    Ho Minh Hoang is a senior student at Van Lang University, majoring in English Language. He has experience in working part-time and gaining internships in many educational institutions. His research interests include English speaking skills, classroom interaction, and motivation for improving various English language learning skills.

  • Le Thi Ngoc Diep, Faculty of Foreign Languages, Van Lang University, Vietnam

    Le Thi Ngoc Diep is a lecturer at the Faculty of Foreign Languages, Van Lang University, Vietnam. She has experience teaching various subjects, including American and British Studies, Morphology & Syntax, Semantics & Pragmatics, and Research Methods. Her research interests include linguistics, TESOL, education management, and the improvement of teaching quality.

References

Albiladi, W. S., Abdeen, F. H., & Lincoln, F. (2018). Learning English through movies: Adult English language learners’ perceptions. Theory and practice in Language Studies, 8(12), 1567-1574. http://dx.doi.org/10.17507/tpls.0812.01

Bahrani, T., & Tam, S. (2011). Technology and language learning: Exposure to TV and radio news and speaking proficiency. Kritika Kultura, 17(8), 144-160. http://dx.doi.org/10.13185/KK2011.01707

Bassma, B.N. (2013). The Impact of Using Technology in Teaching English as a Second Language. English Language and Literature Studies, 3(1), 111-116. http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/ells.v3n1p111

Brown, H. D. (2001). Teaching by Principles; An Interactive Approach to Language Pedagogy. TESOL Quarterly, 35(2), 341-342. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/3587655

Bui, G. T. K. (2020). Students' perception towards using English movies to enhance their English speaking skills. TNU Journal of Science and Technology, 225(12), 85-92. https://doi.org/10.34238/tnu-jst.3387

Ebrahimi, Y., & Bazaee, P. (2016). The Effect of Watching English Movies with Standard. Subtitles on EFL Learners’ Content and Vocabulary Comprehension. Journal of Applied Linguistics and Language Research, 3(5), 284-295. http://www.jallr.com/index.php/JALLR/article/view/394/pdf394

Faqe, C. (2017). The effectiveness of english movie subtitles in vocabulary learning among Iraqi Kurdistan EFL learners. International Journal of Current Advanced Research. 6(3), 2590-2594. http://dx.doi.org/10.24327/ijcar.2017.2594.0053

Fakhrurriana, R., Rahmaddian, A. M., Aunillah, H. N., & Herdina, G. (2024). View of utilizing films in EFL classroom for learning speaking: A study at English major. Indonesian Review of English Education, Linguistics, and Literature . https://doi.org/10.30762/ireell.v2i1.2765

Hidayatullah, M. S. (2018). Improving Students’ Pronunciation through Western Movie Media. Journal al-Lisan. 3(1), 93-111. http://dx.doi.org/10.30603/al.v3i1.381

Islam, W., Ahmad, S., & Islam, M. D. (2022). Investigating the problems faced by the university EFL learners in speaking English language. International Journal of TESOL & Education, 2(2), 47-65. https://doi.org/10.54855/ijte.22223

Ismaili, M. (2013). The effectiveness of using movies in the EFL classroom–A study conducted at South East European University. Academic Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, 2(4), 121-132. http://dx.doi.org/10.5901/ajis.2012.v2n4p121

Kabooha, R. H. (2016). Using Movies in EFL Classrooms: A Study Conducted at the English Language Institute (ELI), King Abdul-Aziz University. English Language Teaching, 9(3), 248-257. http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/elt.v9n3p248

Khoshniyat, A. S., & Dowlatabadi, H. R. (2014). Using conceptual metaphors manifested in Disney movies to teach English idiomatic expressions to young Iranian EFL learners. Procedia- Social and Behavioral Sciences, 98, 999-1008. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.03.510

Mustikawati, A. (2013). The effectiveness of using video in teaching speaking for the eighth- grade students of smp n 1 Manisrenggo (Thesis). Lumbung Pustaka UNY - Lumbung Pustaka UNY. http://eprints.uny.ac.id/id/eprint/25728

Murshidi, G. A. (2020). Effectiveness of Movies in Teaching and Learning English as a Foreign Language at Universities in UAE. United Arab Emirates University, 57(6), 442-450 https://doi.org/10.17762/pae.v57i6.50

Nita, Y., & Dewanti, R. D. (2020). Watching movie everyday can improve the foreign language speaking skill. International Journal of Multicultural and Multireligious Understanding, 7(8), 138-144. http://dx.doi.org/10.18415/ijmmu.v7i8.1828

Nguyen, H., & Terry, D. R. (2017). English Learning Strategies among EFL Learners: A Narrative Approach. IAFOR Journal of Language Learning, 3(1), 4-19 http://dx.doi.org/10.22492/ijll.3.1.01

Nguyen, A. L., & Thai, C. D. (2024). EFL students’ perceptions and practices towards watching English movies in speaking skills development. European journal of alternative education studies, 9(1), 97-149. http://dx.doi.org/10.46827/ejae.v9i1.5335

Parmawati, A., & Inayah, R. (2019). Improving students speaking skill through English movie in scope of speaking for general communication. Eltin journal: Journal of English Language Teaching in Indonesia, 7(2), 43-53.

https://doi.org/10.22460/eltin.v7i2.p43-53

Rahman, N. D., Abu Bakar, A. L., Osman, W. H., & Musa, M. A. H. (2021). The effectiveness of film review in enhancing students’ English speaking skills. International Journal of Education, Psychology and Counseling, 6(41), 23–37. https://doi.org/10.35631//ijepc.641003

Rayasa, R. (2018). The Use of English Movie to Enhance Tenth Grade Students’ Pronunciation at SMA Angkasa 2, East Jakarta. Journal of English Teaching, 4(2), 118-131. https://doi.org/10.33541/jet.v4i2.835

Sherman, J. (2003). Using authentic video in the language classroom: Cambridge handbooks for language teachers. Cambridge University Press.

Shing, S. R., & Yin, L. K. (2017). Using films to teach speaking in the ESL classroom. Selangor Humaniora Review, 1(1), 61-70. http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/36910

Tran, T.T. L. (2022). An Investigation into the Causes of Students' Anxiety in Learning English Speaking Skills. International Journal of TESOL & Education, 2(3), 183-196. https://doi.org/10.54855/ijte.222312

Truong, L. B., & Tran, L. T. (2013). Students’ intercultural development through language learning in Vietnamese tertiary education: a case study on the use of film as an innovative approach. Language and Intercultural Communication, 14(2), 207–225. https://doi.org/10.1080/14708477.2013.849717

Yudar, R. S., Aditomo, D. T., & Silalahi, N. S. (2020, February). Movie as a helper for students' pronunciation in speaking skill class. Jurnal Universitas Lancang Kuning, 2(1), 15-19 http://dx.doi.org/10.31849/elsya.v2i1.3684

Downloads

Published

25-07-2025

Issue

Section

Research Article

How to Cite

Ho, M. H., & Le, T. N. D. (2025). The Effects of English Films on Learning English Speaking Skills: A Case Study at a Private University. International Journal of TESOL & Education, 5(3), 81-96. https://doi.org/10.54855/ijte.25535

Similar Articles

1-10 of 173

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.