„MINU ÕPETAJAKS OLI TELEVIISOR“: TELEVISIOON KUI KEELEKESKKOND
“A TV SET WAS MY TEACHER”: TELEVISION AS A LANGUAGE ENVIRONMENT
Author(s): Merje Miliste, Natalja ZaguraSubject(s): Foreign languages learning, Media studies, Psycholinguistics, Sociolinguistics
Published by: Tallinna Ülikooli Kirjastus
Keywords: informal second language learning; media-based language acquisition; childhood foreign language learning; (satellite) television; German; Finnish; English;
Summary/Abstract: The present article explores the ways Estonian children in the 1990s acquired foreign languages “passively” through television. Based on an inductive thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with four adult “TV kids,” the study examines the context and process of language acquisition as well as later language use. The findings reveal that early exposure to foreign-language audiovisual media fostered strong functional language competence. Mediabased language input enhanced learners’ sensitivity to the target language and increased their confidence in formal language education, contributing to plurilingual development. The discussion draws on Krashen’s input hypothesis, emphasising the role of intrinsic motivation and comprehensible input in naturalistic language acquisition.
Journal: Philologia Estonica Tallinnensis
- Issue Year: 10/2025
- Issue No: 1
- Page Range: 108-135
- Page Count: 28
- Language: Estonian
