Abstract:

The study addresses a number of language learning opportunities provided by modern video on demand services. Streaming services’ features are analyzed in their use for current educational purposes while steps are taken to describe the leading video on demand providers, e.g. Netflix, Amazon Prime, Apple TV, as instrumental in L2 acquisition.

The paper opens with the outline of the key characteristics which make pay-TV services a suitable platform for academic use. The discourse of popular TV shows is analyzed as the material to be used in the process of foreign language instruction. The authors study the instruction based on TV series in its connection with the phenomenon of edutainment. A wide spectrum of topics provided by episodes considered, the paper then takes a closer look at a series of practical tasks to be solved while implementing a language course based on modern TV shows in university curricula. Limitations connected to school are also considered. The article concludes with a series of techniques to be employed by educators with groups of students as well as by independent learners seeking to enhance the process of L2 acquisition through viewing.

Keywords:

Foreign language instruction, streaming services, L2 video, L2 learning, vocabulary, video on demand, media discourse.