Students’ Perceptions on the Use of English Movies to Enhance English Language Competency

Abstract

Learning English vocabulary is crucial since the ability to speak English enables individuals to discover more knowledge throughout the world and use it in the appropriate context. Few studies, however, have explored the perspectives of adult language learners who use movies to independently study languages, especially vocabulary, and improve their English language skills. This study investigated the perceptions of Malaysian students who use English movies as part of their learning strategies to improve their English competency. This quantitative study involved the distribution of an online survey to 92 students in semesters 5 and 6 of LG241: "Bahasa Melayu Untuk Komunikasi Profesional" at UiTM Shah Alam who had completed the semester's English course and utilised English movies to improve their English competency. The study indicated that 88.4% of students needed subtitles to understand the meaning of the movie, while 73.4% needed Google Translate, a dictionary, or assistance from another person to interpret uncommon vocabulary used in English movies. Despite being insignificant, the results showed that there is a positive correlation between watching English movies and enhancing language competency. The more English movies were used to improve students' English competency, the greater the chances were that their English competency would improve because they were able to acquire language skills from watching the movies.