Parasocial Interaction in Mediated English Teaching: A Case Study of English Teaching Programs in Thailand
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
This research investigates the interaction, teaching methods and techniques as well as formats of mediated English language teaching programs in Thailand. Using multimodal discourse analysis, the study aims to determine how these elements are associated with viewers’ motivation in English language learning and the popularity of the programs. This study employs both qualitative and quantitative methods, forming a Convergent Parallel Design. Four hundred questionnaire responses are collected to investigate the viewers’ motivation and their opinion towards the programs and the programs’ hosts. Then video clips of the programs are analyzed qualitatively to see how parasocial interaction is constructed through teaching methods, techniques, and formats of the programs. Quantitative analysis reveals that viewers prefer to watch Loukgolf’s English Room program the most, followed by English AfterNoonz and Movie Language respectively and that viewers have high level of parasocial interaction towards the program hosts. Qualitative analysis shows that all the of the three programs use an eclectic teaching method, using a conversational format. Various strategies including humor, motivation and visual semiotics are employed to create parasocial interaction with the viewers. It is suggested that this may have led to viewer’s motivation and popularity of mediated English language teaching.
Downloads
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
References
Bordwell, D. & Thompson, K. (2004). Film Art: an Introduction. Boston: McGraw-Hill.
Bell, N.D. & Pomerantz, A. (2016). Humor in the Classroom: A Guide for Language Teachers and Educational Researchers. New York: Routledge.
Brown, H. D. (2000). Principles of Language Learning and Teaching. (7th ed.). New York: Longman.
Chinnalong, S. (2000). English Teaching of the Television Program Fud Fid For Fi. [in Thai]. M.Com.Arts (Mass Communication), Chulalongkorn University.
Darasawang, P. (2007). “English Language Teaching and Education in Thailand: A Decade of Change.” In Prescott, D., editor. English in Southeast Asia: Varieties, Literacies and Literatures. (p. 187–204). Newcastle upon Tyne: Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
Dörnyei, Z. & Csizér, K. (1998). Ten Commandments for Motivating Language Learners: Results of an Empirical Study. Language Teaching Research, 2 (3), 203–209.
Kaewthep, K. (2010). New Perspectives in Communication Studies. [in Thai]. Bangkok: Pabpim.
Koraneekit, P., Songkram, N. & Khlaisang, J. (2014). Educational Technology and Communications: Innovation in Blended Learning. [in Thai]. Bangkok: Chulalongkorn University Press.
Kress, G. & van Leeuwen, T. (2006). Reading Images: The Grammar of Visual Design. New York: Routledge.
Larsen-Freeman, D. (2000). Techniques and Principal in Language Teaching. (2nd ed.). New York: Oxford University Press.
Mina, P. (2018). The Strategies of Creating Humor in Thai Television Programs. [in Thai]. Veridian E-Journal Silpakorn University, 11 (3), 2300-2313.
O’Halloran, K. L. (2013). “Multimodal Discourse Analysis.” In Hyland, K. & Paltridge, B., editor. The Bloomsbury Companion to Discourse Analysis. (p. 120-137). London: Bloomsbury.
O’Keeffe, A. (2006). Investigating Media Discourse. New York: Routledge.
Phothong, S. & Anchaleewittayakun, W. (2018). Using Storytelling as a Teaching Method to Develop English Speaking Skills of the Sixth Grade Students. [in Thai]. Suandusit Graduate School Academic Journal, 14 (2), 145–154.
Pinzon-Jacome, L. M., Lozano-Jaimes, C. A. & Duenas-Angulo, L. C. (2016). From Feedback to Follow-up In The Third Turn of IRF Sequences: A Challenge to Promote Genuine Interaction in EFL Classes. Rastros Rostros, 18 (33), 72–81.
Promwong, C., Thatang, N. & Janopas, A. (1997). Radio and Television in Education. [in Thai]. Nonthaburi: Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University Press.
Rubin, M., Perse, M. & Powell, A. (1985). Loneliness, Parasocial Interaction, and Local Television News Viewing. Human Communication Research, 12 (2), 155–180.
Sataporn, S. (2011). Linguistics and Language Teaching (Unit 15). [in Thai]. Nonthaburi: Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University Press.
Sikkabundit, S. (2004). Learning Interaction. [in Thai]. Encylopedia of Education Srinakharinwirot University, 31, 51-56.
Sthapitanon, P. (2000). “Edutainment for Social Change.” [in Thai]. In Kaewthep, K., editor. View of New Media and New Society. (p. 274-362). Bangkok: Edison Press Products.
Sutadarat, S. (2021). Theories of English Teaching. (4th ed.). [in Thai]. Bangkok: Ramkhamhaeng University Press.
Yiemkuntitavorn, S. (2017). Learn English From Materials and Activities. [in Thai]. Bangkok: Chulalongkorn University Press.