First International Language-for-All Conference, Adana, Turkey, 21 - 22 October 2022, pp.156-166
Contributions of reading books and watching films during language learning processes have been widely known
issues in terms of language development and improving language learning skills. The main aim of this study is to
engage EFL learners in activities that demand active participation, develop 21st-Century skills such as critical
thinking and literacy skills and enhance linguistic competence. With these in mind, 16 students aged between 18-
20, who were pre-intermediate and intermediate level, participated in this study voluntarily during the second term
of the 2021-2022 academic year. The study took place at the School of Foreign Languages, Çukurova University
for six weeks out of the compulsory class hours. Therefore, it was an extracurricular session that was run by one
of the lecturers/researchers. Pre-determined writing and speaking tasks were assigned to students before, during
and after the sessions of reading the books and watching the films. Informal interviews were conducted at the
beginning of the study and after all the implementations were completed, an open-ended questionnaire was applied
to be able to learn more about the experiences of participants in this learning atmosphere outside the classroom.
Keywords: books, films, literacy skills, linguistic competence, critical thinking skills