What drives L2 viewers' informal access to English? A case study on audiovisual input

In recent years, several dubbing countries have experienced a change in the way audiovisual (AV) products and other media are accessed in terms of preferred languages and supports. A similar trend appears to be underway in Italy, where younger audiences increasingly access subtitled telecinematic materials and a variety of online media in English. While much research to date has focused on informal second language (L2) practices and the potential of media input for language learning, only a few studies have extensively examined participants’ underlying reasons for exposure. To address this under-researched area, the present study investigates Italian university students’ informal experience with various AV genres and the reasons behind their habits. The data form part of a larger-scale investigation (the PRIN project “The Informalisation of English Language Learning Through the Media”) and were collected through a questionnaire administered to 1,091 students from various disciplines at a medium-sized Italian university. Viewers’ reasons for accessing English-language audiovisuals are examined from both an etic and an emic perspective, based on multiple-choice and open-ended questions, and are complemented by data on the frequency and intensity of access, preferred genres, and viewing modalities. The findings reveal a desire to improve one’s L2 skills and seek knowledge, but also a desire for entertainment and a growing appreciation of English, which enhances viewers’ engagement with AV products. Additionally, accessibility affects viewers’ choices, which differ across AV genres. The study prompts further reflection on the growing media affordances and evolving L2 learning environments in contemporary Italy.