English Language Learníng beyond the Classroom Walls

Abstract

This thesis explores out-of-school sources of exposure to English that EFL learners engage with in Spain. The sources investigated are watching films with/without subtitles, playing video games, listening to music, reading, speaking, attending extracurricular classes, and participation in stays abroad and language camps. Parents' knowledge and use of English were also studied as contextual factors. The aims of this study were, first, to determine the students' frequency of engagement in English-medium activities; second, to find out which strategies secondary-school students use when they are in contact with media in the foreign language; third, to investigate the effects of age on the frequency of exposure to English; and fourth, to examine the relationship between out-of-school contact with English and the students' language skills. The data collected through questionnaires and interviews revealed that listening to music is the activity that the students most engaged in. Besides, there were significant differences in the frequency of exposure to English between primary- and secondary-school students. Gender differences were also found among secondary-school students with regard to playing video games. Finally, watching films with subtitles, reading, and speaking in English were the activities that showed the highest correlations with the secondary-school students' marks.