Abstract:
Starting from the researcher’s assumption that fan fictions can be useful in English language learning, either in a formal or in an informal learning environment, this study attempts to give an answer to the following question “Can writing and/or reading fan fiction in EFL help language learning and fosters a positive attitude towards the language itself?”
To accomplish said purpose, two preliminary open-form questionnaires of 11 (writers’ questionnaire) and 7 (readers’ questionnaire) questions were devised and shared on the Internet. The response showed that learners older than 19, rather than people in middle or high school, seem to be the most willing to share their personal experience regarding fan fics. Consequently, another open-form questionnaire, made up of 39 questions, was devised and uploaded on the Internet.
The analysis on the 35 questionnaires that have been compiled shows that most of the subjects share the researcher’s assumption and claim to have been motivated to improve their English language skills (through reading and writing) as well as actually learning a lot of English vocabulary and figures of speech (mainly through reading). This, I believe, can be the starting point for further research on how fan fiction helps English language learning through the study of specifically designed case studies.
