ANIME WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES: TOOL IN EXPANDING SECOND LANGUAGE LEARNERS’ VOCABULARY AND SYNTACTIC COMPLEXITY

Sep 28, 2026

The study examined how subtitled anime affects ESL learners’ vocabulary and syntactic complexity learning gains through a mixed qualitative and quantitative design. Grade 8 pupils were assigned to three heterogeneous groups of 30 students: English subtitled anime, English dubbed anime, and a control group using conventional instructional materials. Data were gathered via composition writing and cloze tests. Kruskal-Wallis results showed a p-value of 0.058 for composition writing and 0 for cloze tests, indicating significant differences, with subtitled anime producing higher gains than dubbed anime. Survey and interview feedback further supported the use of subtitled anime.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages13

Reading Time33 min

AccessFree to download

I. INTRODUCTION

II. BODY ARTICLE

ISSN 2394-9686 International Journal of Novel Research in Education and Learning Vol. 7, Issue 5, pp: (1-13), Month: September-October 2020, Available [at:](at: www.noveltyjournals.com)[ ](at: www.noveltyjournals.com)[www.noveltyjournals.com](at: www.noveltyjournals.com) ANIME WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES: TOOL IN EXPANDING SECOND LANGUAGE LEARNERS’ VOCABULARY AND SYNTACTIC COMPLEXITY Leah Joyce R. Corpuz Department of Education, Cauayan City National High School, Cauayan City, Philippines Abstract: This study which is a combination of qualitative and quantitative examined the effect of subtitled anime on the learning gains of ESL (English as Second Language) learners in terms of vocabulary and syntactic complexity. The respondents, composing of Grade 8 pupils were divided into three groups and were subjected to experimentation. Each group comprises of 30 students using heterogeneous distribution. As part of their classroom instruction, one group viewed English subtitled anime, another group viewed English dubbed anime and the last group was considered as the control group which utilized the conventional instructional materials recommended in their learning module. Respondents were asked to do composition writing and answer cloze test as data gathering tool. As pertained to in the Kruskall-Wallis Analysis of the learning gains of the three groups of respondents, the composition writing results garnered a p-value of 0.058 while the cloze test garnered 0 p-value; thus rendering the decision to reject the null hypothesis and proving that there was a significant difference in the learning gains of the students in vocabulary and syntactic complexity for those who used the English subtitled and dubbed anime as instructional materials. Moreover, those who used the English subtitled anime achieved higher learning gains compared to those who used English dubbed anime. The statistical evidence was seconded further by the survey and interview among the respondents regarding their opinion on the utilization of subtitled anime as instructional material. Keywords: anime, dubbed, cloze test, learning gains, subtitle, syntactic complexity, vocabulary. I. INTRODUCTION Numerous arising problem caused by limited vocabulary knowledge of L2 learners hinders learners from giving reactions using the target language both in oral and written form. English language teachers observed learners that in construction of simple sentences, they are already having difficulties more so as to construction of complex sentences. This is evident especially in time they encounter situations that require fluency in English such as recitations and composition writings. Thus, to address this growing dilemma regarding English acquisition and utilization, the researcher who is also a second language teacher considered thinking of new tool of instruction in which learning of the target language can be carried inside the classroom in an exciting and entertaining manner. Also, it is designed to lower the anxiety or affective filter learners‟ feel during English class. With this, the researcher was able to contemplate the use of anime films with English subtitles in class. Employing the use of anime films with subtitles assist learners in improving not only their vocabulary knowledge but also their reading comprehension skills. Students who enjoy reading will eventually enrich their vocabulary size and will have the ability to determine word meanings because they are quick to read variety of materials compared Page | 1 Novelty Journals ISSN 2394-9686 International Journal of Novel Research in Education and Learning Vol. 7, Issue 5, pp: (1-13), Month: September-October 2020, Available [at:](at: www.noveltyjournals.com)[ ](at: www.noveltyjournals.com)[www.noveltyjournals.com](at: www.noveltyjournals.com) to poor and reluctant readers who less likely to expand their vocabulary knowledge through wide reading (Haris & Sipay, 1990; Garancho, 1997; Gunobgu

FAQs

What learning areas did the study focus on for ESL learners?

It focused on vocabulary and syntactic complexity, measuring learning gains through composition writing and cloze tests.

How were the participants grouped in the study?

Grade 8 pupils were divided into three heterogeneous groups: English subtitled anime, English dubbed anime, and a control group using conventional instructional materials.

Which intervention produced higher learning gains and how was it supported?

English subtitled anime produced higher learning gains than English dubbed anime, supported by the statistical results and by respondents’ survey and interview opinions.

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by Taylor Morgan