The Effects of English Films on Learning English Speaking Skills: A Case Study at a Private University

While using films in English language learning is not a new idea, there is limited research on how films specifically affect speaking skills in EFL university contexts. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of English films on students’ speaking performance. Conducted at a private university’s English department, the research involved 112 English majors for a survey and semi-structured interviews with four students and four teachers. This study was conducted with a mixed-method approach to explore how much English films enhanced the speaking skills in terms of vocabulary and pronunciation, while improvements in fluency and confidence were reported to a lesser extent. Some challenges were identified, consisting of difficulty understanding unfamiliar accents, fast-paced dialogue, and cultural references. Both students and teachers had positive attitudes toward using films to improve English speaking skills, and offered implications that well-chosen film materials can enrich speaking instruction and encourage students to move beyond the traditional learning approaches.