The podcast as a resource to improve the comprehension and¡speaking in Secondary

Identifier:  TFM:736

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TFM736

Authors:  Pardo Lara, Laura

Abstract:
Speaking is one of the most difficult linguistic skills to be assessed in classroom settings. Mainly because of that, this skill does not receive the necessary attention in secondary schools. This study aims at analyzing to what extent the Cooperative Learning and the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT), in particular the use of podcast, enhance 1º ESO students’ oral proficiency in the Spanish Language and Literature classroom. To address this goal, a quasi-experimental study was conducted with a control (n = 24) and an experimental group (n = 23). Participants were recruited in a high school located at Santa Eulàlia de Ronçana (Barcelona). The educational intervention in the experimental group consisted of applying the Cooperative Learning and including the use of podcast. In the control group, in contrast, they received the ordinary language-instruction classes. For gathering the data, participants in both groups were assessed on their oral competence at two pre-test and two post-test. Additionally, students’ motivation was assessed through a Likert questionnaire. According to the results, the use of Cooperative Learning and ICT, through podcast, significantly enhances students’ oral competence in the Spanish Language and Literature classroom in comparison with the ordinary language-instruction class. These improvements were only observed in those students who started with lower grades.