Chapter 7. Screen Media in Reading Comprehension: Expanding Linguistic and Intercultural Competence in EFL Classes
Ayşe Kızıldağ
Ayşe Kızıldağ
Abstract
The increasing integration of screen media into language education has reshaped how reading is taught and experienced in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) context. While prior research often highlights disadvantages of screen-based reading, such as reduced comprehension and eye strain, recent studies point to its potential for enhancing digital competence and multimodal engagement. This exploratory case study investigates how screen media, including videos, websites, online maps, and digital dictionaries, supports reading comprehension and intercultural competence among pre-service EFL teachers in Türkiye. Conducted over a 14-week semester with six first-year students, the research utilized classroom observations and post-course interviews through qualitative content analysis. Findings indicate that screen media not only improved students’ reading strategies (skimming, scanning, and intensive reading) but also fostered incidental vocabulary growth, listening, and speaking skills through captioned video input and interactive class discussions. Moreover, the integration of culturally diverse screen texts enabled participants to reflect on their own cultural positioning while developing openness to other cultures. Beyond linguistic and intercultural outcomes, students also reported growth in communication strategies, negotiation, and self-awareness, highlighting the broader value of screen media for socio-emotional learning. The chapter concludes that screen media, when meaningfully integrated into EFL reading instruction, can provide both linguistic gains and intercultural insights, while equipping learners with 21st-century digital literacies.
About the Contributor
Ayşe Kızıldağ is an Associate Professor at Aksaray University in the Department of English Language Teaching. Her research interests focus on foreign language teacher learning, that is, teacher cognition, professional identity, and mentoring. She has extensively published on EFL teacher education. Her most recent publication is a book chapter titled “Narratives of an Early Career EFL Researcher on Academic Knowledge Sharing” (2025).
Citation
Kızıldağ, A. (2025). Screen media in reading comprehension: Expanding linguistic and intercultural competence in EFL classes. In A. Leis & M. Wilson (Eds.), Screen media in foreign language education (pp. 151-176). Candlin & Mynard. https://doi.org/10.47908/37/7
The increasing integration of screen media into language education has reshaped how reading is taught and experienced in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) context. While prior research often highlights disadvantages of screen-based reading, such as reduced comprehension and eye strain, recent studies point to its potential for enhancing digital competence and multimodal engagement. This exploratory case study investigates how screen media, including videos, websites, online maps, and digital dictionaries, supports reading comprehension and intercultural competence among pre-service EFL teachers in Türkiye. Conducted over a 14-week semester with six first-year students, the research utilized classroom observations and post-course interviews through qualitative content analysis. Findings indicate that screen media not only improved students’ reading strategies (skimming, scanning, and intensive reading) but also fostered incidental vocabulary growth, listening, and speaking skills through captioned video input and interactive class discussions. Moreover, the integration of culturally diverse screen texts enabled participants to reflect on their own cultural positioning while developing openness to other cultures. Beyond linguistic and intercultural outcomes, students also reported growth in communication strategies, negotiation, and self-awareness, highlighting the broader value of screen media for socio-emotional learning. The chapter concludes that screen media, when meaningfully integrated into EFL reading instruction, can provide both linguistic gains and intercultural insights, while equipping learners with 21st-century digital literacies.
About the Contributor
Ayşe Kızıldağ is an Associate Professor at Aksaray University in the Department of English Language Teaching. Her research interests focus on foreign language teacher learning, that is, teacher cognition, professional identity, and mentoring. She has extensively published on EFL teacher education. Her most recent publication is a book chapter titled “Narratives of an Early Career EFL Researcher on Academic Knowledge Sharing” (2025).
Citation
Kızıldağ, A. (2025). Screen media in reading comprehension: Expanding linguistic and intercultural competence in EFL classes. In A. Leis & M. Wilson (Eds.), Screen media in foreign language education (pp. 151-176). Candlin & Mynard. https://doi.org/10.47908/37/7
Information About the Book
Title: Screen Media in Foreign Language Education
Editors: Adrian Leis and Matthew Wilson
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Title: Screen Media in Foreign Language Education
Editors: Adrian Leis and Matthew Wilson
Read more...