Using TV Shows to Improve Grade 10 Students’ English Listening Comprehension at a High School in Hanoi: An Action Research Project

Abstract

Motivated by the challenges Vietnamese high school students face in understanding authentic spoken English, this study investigated the integration of TV shows into Grade 10 English lessons at a high school in Ha Noi. Many high school students struggle with listening comprehension due to limited exposure to natural speech, varied accents, and real-world conversations. Traditional methods often rely on scripted dialogues, which do not fully prepare learners for authentic communication. This study followed an action research framework, incorporating planning, implementation, observation, and reflection over an eight-week period with 30 participants. A mixed-methods approach was employed to evaluate improvements in students’ listening comprehension and examine their attitudes toward this method. Data were collected through pre- and post-tests, surveys, and interviews to evaluate improvements in listening comprehension and student attitudes. The findings showed significant progress in students’ ability to understand main ideas, recognize specific details, and interpret different accents, indicating an overall improvement in listening comprehension. Additionally, students expressed positive perceptions of TV shows as an engaging and motivating tool for language learning. This research contributes to the application of multimedia in English education and provides insights tailored to the Vietnamese high school context.