The use of video streaming services has exploded over the past several years. However, although the use of video is a well-studied topic in computer-assisted language learning literature, the use of video streaming for out-of-class, informal foreign language (FL) learning has received little attention. This study addresses this gap in the literature. Specifically, the study investigated Japanese university students’ practices regarding the use of subscription video streaming services (SVSSs) for informal FL learning and examined their opinions about the use of these tools for informal FL learning. A survey was administered to second language English students at four Japanese universities to achieve the study’s goals. In addition, semistructured interviews were conducted with 12 of the participants to gain more insight into their opinions of SVSSs for FL learning. A total of 256 students participated and fully completed the survey. The results indicate that informal FL learning through SVSSs is common among FL students and that learners have favorable views toward their use for language learning. These findings highlight the need to examine students’ digital practices such as video streaming in order to bridge the gap between out-of-class informal language learning and formal language learning in the classroom.

中文翻译：

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用于非正式外语学习的订阅视频流：日本 EFL 学生的实践和看法

在过去几年中，视频流媒体服务的使用呈爆炸式增长。然而，尽管在计算机辅助语言学习文献中使用视频是一个经过充分研究的主题，但使用视频流进行课外非正式外语 (FL) 学习却很少受到关注。本研究解决了文献中的这一空白。具体而言，该研究调查了日本大学生关于使用订阅视频流服务 (SVSS) 进行非正式 FL 学习的实践，并检查了他们对使用这些工具进行非正式 FL 学习的看法。为实现研究目标，对四所日本大学的第二语言英语学生进行了一项调查。此外，对 12 名参与者进行了半结构化访谈，以更深入地了解他们对 SVSS 进行 FL 学习的看法。共有256名学生参与并完全完成了调查。结果表明，通过 SVSS 进行的非正式 FL 学习在 FL 学生中很常见，并且学习者对他们用于语言学习有积极的看法。这些发现强调需要检查学生的数字实践，例如视频流，以弥合课堂外非正式语言学习和正式语言学习之间的差距。