LANGUAGE IN INDIA

Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow

Volume 25:7 July 2025
ISSN 1930-2940

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         T. Deivasigamani, Ph.D.
         Pammi Pavan Kumar, Ph.D.
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YouTube Subtitles and Captioned Media: Enhancing Reading Fluency among ESL Students

Dr. Brindha. K
Girishwar. T
Sureka G

Abstract

The digital media revolutionized English Language Teaching (ELT) significantly, particularly in enhancing reading fluency among English as Second Language (ESL) learners. Subtitles and captions in videos are more effective in this digital era, provides support to the learners in active participation in audio visual content. This study explores how videos with captions enhance reading fluency, vocabulary acquisition, comprehension skills, and pronunciation awareness among learners. Learners can enhance their word recognition skills, improve reading speed, and develop their understanding of spoken English through authentic videos by offering a synchronized combination of text and speech. This paper discusses how the benefits of reading, listening, and visual elements work together to support their language learning and how interactive captions improve their learning experience. Furthermore, the study addresses some existing challenges such as over-reliance on subtitles, lack of accuracy, and differences in learners' proficiency levels. The results indicate that strategic incorporation of captioned media can make significant outcomes: improving reading fluency and comprehension. As digital platforms continue to evolve, the study emphasizes the need for educators to foster creative pedagogical approaches for effective and engaging English learning experiences.

Keywords:Captioned Media, ESL Learning, Multimodal Language Acquisition, Reading Fluency, YouTube Subtitles.

Introduction

The evolution of digital media has significantly influenced English Language Teaching (ELT), specifically in developing reading fluency among English as Second Language (ESL) learners. YouTube subtitles and captioned media have emerged as powerful tools for improving learners' reading and comprehension skills among the various technologies. Captions give real-time textual support, help learners learn through spoken language, allow them to connect between written and oral communication. By integrating multimodal content combines text, visuals, and audio—improves their cognitive skill, make language learning more engaging and effective (Vanderplank 22). Studies recommend captions help ESL learners develop word recognition, fasten their reading ability, and improve pronunciation. Additionally, digital platforms such as YouTube, TED Talks and other OTT platforms provides AI-powered captions, and adjustable playback speeds, enable personalized learning experiences. Pervasive thinking states that over-reliance on captions may obstruct listening development; however through strategic use of captions improves language acquisition rather than impeding it. Some challenges such as inaccurate captions, varying proficiency levels, and learners' dependence on reading rather than listening must be addressed for better language learning results.

This study explores how YouTube subtitles and captioned media contribute to ESL learners’ reading fluency, examining both advantages and its limitations of integrating such tools into language instruction. Instructors can make learners participate actively and bring positive outcomes in reading comprehension among ESL learners by understanding pedagogical implications of captioning method.

This is only the beginning part of the article. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE IN PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION.

Dr. Brindha. K
Assistant Professor and Head,
Research and PG Department of English
Chikkanna Government Arts College, Tiruppur

Girishwar. T
Ph.D. Research Scholar (FT)
Research and PG Department of English
Chikkanna Government Arts College, Tiruppur
&
Sureka G
Ph.D. Research Scholar
Research and PG Department of English
Chikkanna Government Arts College, Tiruppur
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