Building Language Learner Autonomy Through “English Matters”, and ESL Television Broadcast

English Matters is a television broadcast developed by KBYU and BYU’s Technology Assisted Language Learning (TALL) group in order to assist limited English proficient (LEP) adults to learn and speak English in an ESL setting. My project was to create two segments, Language Learning Facts (LLF) and Building English (BE), of the pilot television program and write scripts for 11 additional episodes. These segments instruct learners on how to be more autonomous learners and develop language learning strategies.The pilot episode of LLF tells learners that they must find opportunities to speak English on a regular basis and provides information on how they might take advantage of language learning opportunities. BE provides instruction on three language vocabulary learning strategies: word banks, personal dictionaries, and using resources on one topic to recycle vocabulary. The information in these segments is taught by a Master Teacher and illustrated through incidents in the lives of LEP adults, as they apply these principles.Scripts for additional episodes of LLF include information on recognizing and taking advantage of one’s learning style, encouraging a combination of holistic and detailed learning, setting goals and self-evaluation, making students aware that learning a language is a combination of having factual knowledge and using skills, and information on the amount of time that learning a language requires. Additional scripts of BE provide strategies on developing listening and speaking skills and improving pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary.LEP adults taking a community English language program were shown the pilot segments. The response of these learners to the video segments was favorable. They commented that they enjoyed the way the strategies were presented, and they found encouragement in their efforts to learn and speak English. One week after viewing the segments, several of the learners reported having used the vocabulary strategies presented in the pilot episode and making efforts to speak to more people in English.

Thesis Author: Mowrey, Branna D.

Year Completed: 2005

Committee Members: Mark W. Tanner, Lynn E. Henrichsen

Thesis Chair: C. Ray Graham