Strategies for a Large Vocabulary Learning Based on Sensorimotor Experiences Referencing the American Television Series Community

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to suggest a strategy to enhance vocabulary learning through a sensory-motor experience. A case study was conducted involving four college students who were all non-English majors and had intermediate TOEIC scores. The study emphasized the role of the brain. The material used was from season 1, episode 1 of the American television series <i>Community</i> (Russo & Russo, 2009). During the study, the four students participated in one instruction session, did three test activities assessing attention and saliency, collocation, memorization, and had an oral interview. In the attention and saliency test, the results revealed that three of the four participants were successful. In the collocation test, three participants were excellent, and one participant was fair. In memorization of an entire dialogue, Participant A was perfect and the other three participants were very good, despite some minor errors. In the oral interview, three participants were positive about using this new method, and one was critical. This participant preferred the traditional vocabulary learning method of matching form-meanings with vocabulary lists. The participants all agreed that this method was innovative and fun, but they all indicated that the instruction was too complicated and suggested that it should be adjusted to make it more understandable.