Abstract:
One of the specifics of language learning, as opposed to mechanics, biology or literature is that the
learning objectives are not content based only, but rather the vehicle that carries the content: a
capacity to use the language in question is the goal. To achieve this, language learning can build upon
diversified contents as the ‘content based language learning’ approach shows. This approach has now
been used for over thirty years.
Use of Open Educational Resources (OER) is a result of multi-faceted studies in the arena of teaching
and learning English. UNESCO's 2011 definition of OER is that “…OER materials used to support
education that may be freely accessed, reused, modified, and shared.” OER involves using movies and
television shows as effective tools for teaching and learning English, if used strategically. Watching
TV in foreign/second languages improves listening skills, reading skills (by reading subtitles), and is
an effective way to absorb foreign culture, along with the vocabulary. This also helps to reduce
anxiety as the students are familiar with the realistic contexts rather than text book based activities.
A survey was conducted among fifty first year students enrolled for the Bachelor of Arts in English
Language and Literature Studies at the University of Kelaniya, to identify their frequency of watching
movies and TV series. Results of a questionnaire and structured interviews (with a subgroup of 15
lecturers of ELTU) provided valuable insights of how various TV shows and movies can be used to
develop different components in English language teaching and learning. The survey revealed that the
undergraduates are more interested in watching a part of a movie or an episode of a TV series than
any other OER activity during the lecture, and even at home, if they are given guidelines. Information
gathered from the lecturers revealed different paths to enhance the material and utilize in the teaching
process. The findings of this survey will help improve the standards of the curricula of English
language teaching and will motivate the students in experimenting with OER.
