The Effect of Using Podcasts on EFL Learners’Speaking Performance

Abstract

This research work attempts to unveil the effect of audio podcasts on the students’ speaking performance and unfold the Oral Expression teachers’ views about using them when teaching speaking. Accordingly, it has been hypothesized that if podcasting is used in teaching oral skills, the students’ abilities in this skill will be developed. To test this hypothesis, an experimental study has been conducted on first year students at the Department of English, University of Jijel through which the experiment group were exposed to audio-podcasts in the treatment. The results obtained from the experiment showed that the experimental groups’ speaking performance has been ameliorated; whereas that of the control group has not improved. In addition, a teacher questionnaire was administered to first year Oral Expression teachers to collect data about their opinions and practices in using such a tool in teaching speaking. The results of the questionnaire came to prove that the teachers believe podcasts enhance first year EFL students speaking and encourage their use in EFL speaking classes. The research hypothesis, then, has been confirmed.