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Beranda / Innovation in ELT

Diskusi 7 Innovation in ELT : Enhancing Speaking Skills Through Technology

 


Diskusi 7

The use of digital technology brings added value to the tasks in speaking classes. Language learners can also prepare digital presentations (e.g., using MS PowerPoint with voiceover). Learners can listen to the effect of the quality of their voices (i.e., pitch, speed of speaking, volume) and think about how an audience would perceive their voice. They can record several attempts, and if students are working in groups, they can discuss the results together (Gajek, 2018). 

Based on your teaching experience and knowledge, share your experience in teaching speaking skills with technology, tell your considerations of the selected technological tools/devices, add your discussion with illustration, and reflect on the use of the technology to the student’s development of speaking skills.

Please feel free to share your ideas and, if necessary, support your ideas with some relevant sources! Have a fruitful discussion!

Jawaban:

When teaching speaking skills using technology, there are several considerations to be taken into account regarding the selection of tools/technological devices for the development of student’s English speaking skills based on my experience, as follows:

  • Accessibility and Ease of Use: Ensure that the chosen technology tools/devices are easily accessible and available to all students. The required devices could be Chromebooks (provided in the computer lab) or smartphones that they own personally. 
  • Internet Availability: Ensure that there is school Wi-Fi availability or adequate internet connectivity to access and use the chosen tools. 
  • Use of Audio or Video Applications with Clear Quality: Ensure that the applications used have good recording capabilities, resulting in clear audio or video output. 
  • User-Friendliness: Ensure that the applications or tools used are familiar to the students, so they are not confused when using them.
  • Cost-Effective: Ensure that the tools do not incur expensive costs for speaking practice. 
  • Alignment with Student Needs: Consider the students' needs and preferences when selecting the tools or technology. Conduct surveys or conversations with students to understand their preferences in learning speaking skills. Some students may feel more comfortable using certain tools or have specific preferences for learning through technology.

Based on my experience in teaching speaking skills, I use the widely used messaging application WhatsApp. I can ask students to record their voices using WhatsApp, and then they can send the recorded files to their teacher's number. I chose this platform based on the aforementioned considerations. WhatsApp is easy to use, familiar, affordable, and produces clear audio, allowing me to assess the recorded results. That's why I frequently use this application. If real-time conversations and collaboration are needed, I utilize the video call feature within the WhatsApp application, as it allows up to 8 participants.

Another technology tool I use is YouTube. Through YouTube, I provide sample conversations that students should practice. Then, I ask students to record themselves or imitate the given conversations and upload them to their individual YouTube channels. This approach aligns with Brown's (2001) concept of "imitation" as one of the roles of students in developing speaking skills, involving students imitating certain elements of language, such as intonation or vowel sounds. This approach focuses on accuracy and pronunciation rather than meaningful interaction.

Additionally, I have used video conferencing as another media or technology. Although this method can be costly and requires a significant amount of internet data, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Education provided internet learning quotas for educators and students. Thus, the use of video conferencing was highly effective in developing speaking skills for students. This approach also aligns with Brown's (2001) concept of various student roles in developing speaking skills, such as being intensive, responsive, engaged in transactional and interpersonal dialogues. This media is well-suited for developing speaking skills with these roles.

Lastly, for individual assignments, Speakpipe (https://www.speakpipe.com) can be used. Speakpipe is a web-based voice recording tool that allows students to record their oral responses and submit them online. It can be integrated into a learning management system or used independently for tasks where students need to practice speaking and receive feedback from the instructor.

In conclusion, the selection of technology for developing students' speaking abilities should align with the teaching methods and the overall learning environment. This means that the chosen tools should be accessible, provide active interaction between students and teachers, enable audio or video recording, be cost-effective, and meet the needs of the learners.

Referensi:

Brown H. D. 2001. Principle of Language Learning And Teaching . New York : Prentice Hall.