Movie-Enriched Practice and the TOEFL® iBT

In this episode of the TOEFL Speaking Prep Podcast, we explore the potential of "Movie-Enriched Practice" for language learning, with a specific focus on TOEFL iBT preparation. We dive into fascinating research from Tishk International University, which compares traditional textbook-based learning with a more dynamic approach—combining novels and their movie adaptations.

The study reveals that incorporating movies alongside reading not only improves vocabulary but also significantly enhances speaking skills. Plus, the students involved reported higher motivation and confidence.

Join us as we unpack why this multisensory learning strategy works so well and how you can apply it to your own TOEFL prep. From incidental vocabulary learning to the importance of structured, active engagement, this episode offers practical tips to help you create your own movie-powered language learning plan.

Discover how you can make learning not just effective, but enjoyable!

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Transcript

(0:00 - 0:16)
We learn by coming across words organically, within a certain context, and seeing and hearing them again and again. Researchers call this incidental vocabulary learning. This is the TOEFL Speaking Prep Podcast for the AI era.

(0:17 - 0:27)
You know how sometimes you just wish there was a shortcut to learning a new language? Like, imagine just effortlessly soaking it all in like they sometimes show in those movies. Oh, I know what you mean. It's a nice thought.

(0:28 - 0:43)
But realistically, learning a language usually takes a bit more work than that. It does, doesn't it? But there's something about watching movies in a different language that almost makes you feel like you're learning. Maybe picking up a few words or phrases here and there, even if it's just from the subtitles.

(0:43 - 0:51)
So, are we on to something? Could movies actually help us learn a new language better? That's what we're diving into today. Absolutely. That's what we're going to explore.

(0:52 - 1:07)
There's some really interesting research from 2023 from Tishk International University in Iraq that points to a learning strategy that might be even more effective than just passively watching movies. Okay, now you've got me intrigued. Tell me more about this research.

(1:07 - 1:25)
What exactly did they do? So, they took a group of first-year students and split them into two groups. One group focused on what's called intensive reading. Intensive reading. 

Okay. They worked with what are known as graded readers. These are basically textbooks specifically designed for, you guessed it, language learners.

(1:25 - 1:29)
Oh, right. Yeah, I've seen those. They're designed to gradually ease you into the language.

(1:29 - 1:37)
Exactly. Now, the second group, they focused on extensive reading. This group got to read full-length novels, which is already pretty cool.

(1:37 - 2:07)
But here's the interesting part. They also watched the movie adaptations of those novels. Oh, wow. 

Okay, so one group's doing the structured textbook learning, and the other group gets to enjoy novels and movies. It's tough to say which one I'd pick, but I have a feeling it wasn't just relaxing with popcorn and subtitles. You're right. 

It wasn't just casual reading or movie nights. Both groups had structured activities incorporated into their learning. Things like discussions, they had to give presentations, even quizzes on the material.

(2:07 - 2:34)
Okay, so there was a method to it all. It wasn't just hoping that something would stick while they were watching a film. Exactly. 

The structure really is key here. Even though one group's reading was considered extensive, the study emphasized how important the guidance and focused activities around both the books and the films were to their learning. It wasn't just a case of watch and learn, but more like using the movie as a springboard for a much deeper engagement with the language.

(2:34 - 3:03)
It makes me think about those language learning apps that some people swear by, and then others much prefer full immersion. It seems like finding the sweet spot, regardless of your method, is really important. But okay, let's talk results. 

What did the researchers find? This is where it gets really interesting. Those students who included movies alongside their novel reading, they didn't just improve their vocabularies, which is impressive on its own. Their speaking skills also showed much more improvement compared to the group that focused solely on the intensive reading.

(3:03 - 3:11)
Wow, okay. That's a pretty good reason to add movies to your language learning routine. It goes even further than just the hard data, like test scores.

(3:11 - 3:46)
The study also mentioned a real difference in how these students felt about the whole learning process. Those who were in the movie-enriched learning environment said they felt more confident, they were more motivated to keep learning, and even their overall attitude towards reading, in general, changed for the better. Yeah, I can see that happening. 

I mean, going from, uh, I have to read this, to, ooh, I can't wait to see what happens next, can totally change how you feel about staying motivated. I completely agree. It really highlights how important it is to cultivate an engaging, enjoyable learning environment, even when you're dealing with challenging material.

(3:46 - 4:15)
So, we're not trying to trick ourselves into thinking watching movies equals learning. It's more about creating a richer learning experience, right? But I'm curious about what it is, specifically, about this combination of novels and movies, that seems to work so well. We're not just saying to watch the movie instead of reading the book, are we? You're right. 

It's definitely not about replacing one with the other. The magic really seems to happen in the combination. And to highlight that, I think it's helpful to look at what some of the students themselves shared.

(4:15 - 4:46)
The researchers actually interviewed the students to get a deeper understanding of what their experience was like. One student, called Student K in the study, said that this method of learning helped him learn in a stress-free environment with a well-organized schedule. That makes a lot of sense. 

Having a more dynamic, engaging learning plan could definitely reduce a lot of stress, especially compared to just hitting the books every single day. Exactly. Another student, Student D, summed it up pretty well by saying that movies are so helpful in expanding my vocabulary and speaking fluently.

(4:46 - 5:18)
Okay, so we've got solid data, positive feedback from the students, and some really interesting anecdotal evidence, too. But let's dig a little deeper. Why is this combo so effective? Well, let's think about how we naturally learn new words. 

Even in our native languages, it's not like we usually just memorize lists and lists of words from the dictionary. Oh, if I tried that, I think I'd still be stuck on words that start with the letter A. Right. We learn by coming across words organically, within a certain context, and seeing and hearing them again and again.

(5:18 - 5:37)
Researchers call this incidental vocabulary learning, and using both novels and their movie versions provides that repeated exposure in a really powerful way. That makes a lot of sense. You see the word in the novel, and then you hear an actor say that word out loud, all within a scene and context you can easily remember.

(5:37 - 5:48)
You got it. And it's not even just about seeing the word written down and hearing it spoken, although those obviously help. There's also what's called the visualizing effect, and it's much more powerful than you might realize.

(5:48 - 5:56)
Okay, now I need to hear more about this visualizing effect. Okay, so imagine this. You're reading a scene in a novel, right? Maybe you even have to look up a new word or two.

(5:56 - 6:08)
But then you actually get to see that scene, you know, brought to life on the screen. You've got the actors, the emotions, the whole visual setting. It's like instead of just reading a recipe, you're watching a cooking show, right? Right.

(6:08 - 6:22)
The whole experience just gets so much richer when you can actually see it happening. Exactly. And when you see those words in action embedded in a really vivid, memorable scene, it just creates a much stronger imprint in your memory.

(6:23 - 6:52)
It's no wonder that the study found that students were better at remembering vocabulary and events when they had that visual element as well. So we're not just talking about simple repetition here. This is about making the learning process way more engaging. 

I mean, would you even say entertaining? Absolutely. And don't forget about the motivational boost that comes with a more engaging approach. Remember the extensive reading group? They got to choose which novels they wanted to read, so they were already interested in the material right from the start.

(6:52 - 7:00)
Oh, that's a really good point. Yeah. There's a huge difference between forcing yourself to read something boring and getting totally engrossed in a story you're genuinely enjoying.

(7:00 - 7:16)
Exactly. And then watching the movie version afterwards creates a shared experience, which gives them something to talk about with other people. So you've got choice, enjoyment, social connection, all these things add up to a much more motivating and engaging learning experience overall.

(7:17 - 8:17)
It really seems like a winning combination, I have to say. But I do have to wonder, does this only work if you're in a structured environment, like at a university? I mean, most people can't just enroll in a university program just to try out reading a novel and then watching the film. That's a great question. 

And the good news is you definitely don't have to. This study was done at a university, sure, but that doesn't mean you can't apply those same insights anywhere by anyone who's interested in a more multisensory approach to their language learning. So for our listeners out there who are thinking, OK, this all sounds great, but where do I even start? What would you suggest? How can someone create their own DIY movie-powered language learning plan? I think the biggest takeaway here is structure. 

Remember, in the study, both groups had structured activities, so it wasn't enough to just passively watch a movie and hope for the best. A little bit of intentionality can make a huge difference. So maybe ditch the comfy PJs and the giant popcorn bowl and opt for a notebook and pen instead.

(8:18 - 8:30)
Hey, you can definitely keep the comfy PJs. It's all about finding what works for you, what fits your own learning style. The main thing is to incorporate some active learning alongside the passive enjoyment of just watching a movie.

(8:30 - 9:09)
OK, that makes sense. Could you give us an example maybe of what that might look like in practice? Sure. Let's say you're reading a chapter in a novel. 

Before you even start the movie, why not try jotting down a few key vocabulary words or phrases from that chapter? Then, while you're watching, see if you can spot any of those words or phrases being used. It's almost like a scavenger hunt. That's actually a really good idea. 

It forces you to pay closer attention instead of just letting the movie wash over you. Exactly. And after you watch a scene that you found really interesting, maybe one with some dialogue that stood out to you, try hitting pause and summarizing what just happened out loud and in the language you're trying to learn.

(9:09 - 9:30)
Wait, so you're saying I can try out my terrible French accent while pretending to be the main character because I am 100% on board with that level of immersion. Embrace the theatrics, why not? The study even pointed out how helpful things like role-playing and creative activities can be when you're learning a language. Don't be afraid to have a little fun and experiment.

(9:30 - 9:44)
Speaking of fun, remember how the Extensive Reading Group got to pick their novels? That autonomy seems really crucial. Oh, absolutely. When you're genuinely enjoying what you're learning, it makes a world of difference in terms of staying motivated.

(9:44 - 9:55)
It really does. I mean, so much of language learning comes down to staying motivated and engaged over a long period of time. And that's really hard to do if you're forcing yourself to get through material you find boring.

(9:56 - 10:06)
Exactly. So if you're taking inspiration from this study, don't feel like you need to pick some classic piece of literature just because it feels more educational. Just go with something you're genuinely excited about.

(10:06 - 11:00)
Exactly. Mystery, romance, sci-fi, even historical fiction. There's a novel out there, and probably a movie adaptation too, for every interest these days. 

So, listener, what about you? What are you reading these days, or been meaning to read, that you could use with this kind of multisensory approach? The possibilities really are endless. And speaking of possibilities, this conversation has really got me thinking. Go on. 

I'm already intrigued. What are you thinking? I'm thinking, if this combination of novels and movies is so effective for learning languages, what other areas could we use this multisensory approach for? What other kinds of learning? That's a really interesting thought. And I think it really speaks to something fundamental about how our brains learn best. 

After all, we are incredibly visual beings. It's true. A picture's worth a thousand words, right? Sometimes a single powerful image can tell you more than paragraphs and paragraphs of text ever could.

(11:01 - 11:15)
Exactly. And when you combine a vivid image with a really good story, some emotional depth, maybe even a little humor, which you often find in well-made movies, it takes your understanding to a whole other level. It's a level that traditional textbook learning just often can't achieve.

(11:15 - 12:24)
It's just like that old saying, tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn. But in this case, it seems more like show me and you've got my attention. Huh. 

I love that. And isn't that what we're all striving for? Whether we're talking about people learning a new language or educators or just people who are lifelong learners, we're all trying to find ways to make learning not just effective, but actually enjoyable. It's so true. 

And you know, this whole conversation has made me realize that so often we get caught up in trying to find the single right way to learn something new. Oh, it's such an easy trap to fall into. It really is. 

But what if we focus more on just trying out different approaches that spark our curiosity, that make us excited to learn new things, no matter the topic? I couldn't agree more. The truth is we all have our own unique learning styles and preferences. What really clicks for one person might not be as effective for someone else. 

The great thing about research like this is that it not only highlights what works, but it also reminds us that it's okay to experiment. It's not about finding that one size fits all solution. It's about creating a learning journey that's right for you, that aligns with your interests, your goals.

(12:24 - 12:36)
Yes, exactly. It's about the journey just as much as the destination. And I think embracing that sense of curiosity and really allowing yourself to enjoy the process of discovering new things, that's what makes learning truly rewarding.

(12:36 - 12:48)
That's a great point. And speaking of discovering new things, we want to hear from you, our listener. What stood out to you from today's deep dive? What possibilities are you excited to explore now? Let's keep the conversation going.

(12:48 - 12:55)
Share your thoughts with us on social media. You never know, you might just inspire our next deep dive. Until then, happy learning.