Movie Subtitling: A Boon to Language Learners

This study aims to explore the use of English subtitles in movies as a tool to enhance students’ proficiency and reveal the correlation between the habit of watching movies with English subtitles and its contribution to improving speaking skills. A quantitative approach is employed which involves a total of 215 undergraduates in Malaysia. The primary data is gathered through a questionnaire and supported bya semi-structured interview to validate the findings. The questionnaire responses were analysed using the SPSS version 25 tool and 15 respondents’ interview responses were categorized thematically. The study indicated that undergraduates benefited from subtitles as they increased their English vocabulary (M=3.74) as well as motivated them to learn English (M=3.71). Findings also revealed that English subtitles increased their level of confidence in developing speaking skills to communicate in English. The learners also found subtitling created an avenue for both enjoyable and educational, thus fulfilling the demands of the digital era. It is, therefore, recommended that language teachers include this teaching approach of using movies with English subtitles as a teaching tool in the classroom.