Academic formulas in TED talks and TED-Ed animations: Insights for academic vocabulary learning.

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Academic formulas in TED talks and TED-Ed animations: Insights for academic vocabulary learning.
Authors: Liu, Chen-Yu1 (AUTHOR) chenyuliu1019@gmail.com
Source: English for Specific Purposes. Oct2025, Vol. 80, p16-30. 15p.
Subject Terms: *ACADEMIC language, *ACADEMIC discourse, *EDUCATIONAL resources, *VISUAL aids, *TEACHING aids, *WEBINARS
Abstract: Knowledge of academic formulas is essential for EAP learners, as these sequences are pervasive and serve key discourse functions in academic contexts. To support academic formula learning, it is crucial to identify resources that provide frequent and diverse encounters with these formulas. This study examines TED talks and TED-Ed animations as potential pedagogical resources by comparing the presence of Academic Formulas List (AFL) items in these discourse types with academic lectures. The results indicate that both TED talks and TED-Ed animations can offer learners opportunities to encounter a wide variety of AFL items, with their diversity comparable to academic lectures. TED talks contain a significantly higher density and variety of AFL items than TED-Ed animations, highlighting their relative usefulness for learning academic formulas. While TED-Ed animations contain fewer formulas overall, they feature a comparable variety of written AFL items to academic lectures and a higher density and variety of academic formulas than other learning resources (e.g., textbooks), emphasizing their value as supplementary resources. This study expands the range of resources available for academic formula learning and enhances the understanding of TED talks and TED-Ed animations as educational tools, highlighting their distinct lexical characteristics and implications for academic English instruction. • Many Academic Formulas List (AFL) items appear in TED talks and TED-Ed animations. • TED talks feature higher density and variety of AFL items than TED-Ed animations. • TED-Ed animations complement TED talks with a focus on written AFL items. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Database: Academic Search Index
Description
Abstract:Knowledge of academic formulas is essential for EAP learners, as these sequences are pervasive and serve key discourse functions in academic contexts. To support academic formula learning, it is crucial to identify resources that provide frequent and diverse encounters with these formulas. This study examines TED talks and TED-Ed animations as potential pedagogical resources by comparing the presence of Academic Formulas List (AFL) items in these discourse types with academic lectures. The results indicate that both TED talks and TED-Ed animations can offer learners opportunities to encounter a wide variety of AFL items, with their diversity comparable to academic lectures. TED talks contain a significantly higher density and variety of AFL items than TED-Ed animations, highlighting their relative usefulness for learning academic formulas. While TED-Ed animations contain fewer formulas overall, they feature a comparable variety of written AFL items to academic lectures and a higher density and variety of academic formulas than other learning resources (e.g., textbooks), emphasizing their value as supplementary resources. This study expands the range of resources available for academic formula learning and enhances the understanding of TED talks and TED-Ed animations as educational tools, highlighting their distinct lexical characteristics and implications for academic English instruction. • Many Academic Formulas List (AFL) items appear in TED talks and TED-Ed animations. • TED talks feature higher density and variety of AFL items than TED-Ed animations. • TED-Ed animations complement TED talks with a focus on written AFL items. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:08894906
DOI:10.1016/j.esp.2025.05.009