Using a television series to facilitate advanced learners' vocabulary learning : master's thesis

Abstract

The present thesis focuses on the method of facilitating advanced learners’ vocabulary learning by using clips from the television show Friends. The thesis is divided into two main parts: a literature review and the empirical research part. The literature review consists of two sections: Using Videos in a Language Classroom, and Vocabulary Learning and Teaching. The first section, Using Videos in a Language Classroom, examines the advantages and disadvantages of using videos and visuals to facilitate language learning. The second section, Vocabulary Learning and Teaching, discusses the way in which vocabulary is learned, and processes that help students learn vocabulary. Similarly, methods of how vocabulary should be taught to students, and how low- and high-frequency words should be taught, are examined. The empirical research chapter of the thesis provides an overview of the research project conducted with ten advanced 11th grade Miina Härma Gymnasium students, as well as discusses the results of the study. In the discussion part, the results of the study are analyzed in the context of the material from the literature review. The conclusion summarizes the main findings of the study and suggests further possible research opportunities.