Teaching Language with Moving Pictures : Teacher attitudes toward fictional films in EFL classrooms

Abstract: Previous research has suggested that teacher attitudes toward film in the classroom (film pedagogy) is influenced by general attitudes to film as well as lessons’ learning objectives. This study presents five Swedish upper-secondary English teachers’ attitudes to film in the classroom, in relation to six specific learning objectives: cultural aspects, reading comprehension, vocabulary knowledge, writing skills, grammar skills and oral skills. This study also presents the teachers’ general attitudes to film and their opinion of film as a potential motivator in the classroom. The findings suggested that learning objectives influence attitudes to film in the classroom and the approach to film pedagogy. Furthermore, teachers’ general attitudes and personal film habits might influence their opinions on the value of film, as a tool for teaching EFL or as a motivator. An implication of this study is the importance of teacher attitudes and their effect on pedagogical choices made in classrooms.