Abstract: This paper, based on the investigation on the correlation between watching American TV series and the improvement of English majors’ professional quality in Nanjing Xiaozhuang College, aims to research the indispensable role of American TV series in improving English majors’ target language proficiency. The research is conducted in the form of a questionnaire to English majors. First of all, the paper proposes the concept of American TV series and their relationship with English learning. Then it states the culture inside them and the reasons for their popularity. The third part is about the procedures and results of the research. It is shown that American TV series do play an indispensable role in improving English majors’ language proficiency. Besides, the paper also discusses the advantages of using American TV series as teaching materials in improving listening, speaking and the cultivation of intercultural awareness. Finally, some examples are proposed, and it is concluded that the proper use of American TV series can effectively help English majors improve their language proficiency.

Key words: American TV series; English majors; language proficiency; application

CONTENTS

摘要

Abstract

1. Introduction.1

2. The Culture Inside the American TV Series ..1

3. A Mini Research ...3

3.1 Method

3.2 Results and Analysis 

4. The Indispensable Role of American TV Series in Improving English Majors’ Language Proficiency5

4.1 The Stimulating Role in Improving Listening and Its Application

4.2 The Stimulating Role in Improving Speaking and Its Application

4.3 The Stimulating Role in the Cultivation of Intercultural Awareness

5. Conclusion..8

Bibliography...9

Acknowledgements..10

Appendix..11