Sitcoms as a resource for acquiring lexicon and developing strategies for understanding vocabulary in context

Abstract

According to different studies, vocabulary is directly related to the reading comprehension ability but its learning is a difficult process. This research aimed to measure the degree of usefulness of sitcoms as a teaching resource for the acquisition of lexicon as well as the acquisition of strategies for understanding vocabulary in context and their impact on reading comprehension. The treatment consisted of showing participants selected video clips of sitcoms along with transcripts and pre and post viewing activities in order to promote vocabulary acquisition and develop strategies for understanding vocabulary in context. The impact of the treatment was measured through pre and post-tests and the data collected was analysed using multivariate statistical analyses and t-tests; interviews were held in order to collect information about participants’ perceptions of the treatment and a journal was kept during the administration of the same to record perceptions of the participants and the details of the process. The results show that this treatment is effective for the acquisition of lexicon and strategies for understanding vocabulary in context but it does not have a significant impact on reading comprehension.