Captioned Viewing for Language Learning: A Cognitive and Affective Model

The use of caption-enhanced audiovisual content is an effective tool for language acquisition in second and foreign language contexts. The inclusion of captions plays a crucial role in language learning by providing students with a visual reference that complements auditory input, leading to improved language comprehension. This effect is particularly noticeable when the material closely matches the learners’ language proficiency. By examining diary data collected from 20 participants over an entire semester of a listening course, this chapter reveals the cognitive progress and emotional enrichment experienced by learners, resulting in a deeper processing of input. Despite the clear benefits, learners need guidance in developing active viewing strategies to make efficient use of captioned material. Multimedia platforms can expand the range of strategies available to learners, empowering them as active participants in leveraging the benefits offered by captions. The chapter emphasizes the importance of training learners to effectively navigate these strategies for optimal language learning outcomes.