Beyond The Episode - A Case For Serial Literacy in EFL Education

Serial storytelling, characterized by its interplay of vertical (episodic) and horizontal (long-form) narrative structures, offers a unique opportunity for media literacy in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) education. This paper argues for the development of a serial literacy framework, a concept that expands traditional film literacy models to accommodate the distinct demands of serialized narratives. By using Inventing Anna (Rhimes, 2022) as a case study, the study explores how serial storytelling fosters engagement with themes of identity construction, ethical ambiguity, and transmedial storytelling. Building on an ongoing dissertation project, this paper elaborates on serial literacy, considering its implications within foreign language learning contexts. The study highlights how serialized narratives cultivate critical thinking, communicative competence, and media awareness, rendering them a valuable pedagogical tool. By integrating serial literacy into EFL curricula, educators can bridge students' media consumption habits with analytical engagement, fostering a generation of critically literate media consumers and producers.