The use of authentic material through WhatsApp in teaching listening skills in EFL out-of-classroom settings.

Abstract

Abstract: The present study, entitled "The use of authentic material via WhatsApp in teaching listening skills in English contexts outside the classroom", aims to determine the impact of using authentic material delivered via WhatsApp to improve the listening skills of English language learners outside the classroom. This study was conducted in a secondary school in Riobamba with 10 students whose English level was B1. A mixed methodology was used that included the collection of qualitative and quantitative data. The instruments were a questionnaire on student perception, a questionnaire on the advantages and disadvantages of using authentic content via WhatsApp, a questionnaire for the teacher, and an observation sheet. In addition, a WhatsApp group was created in which six listening activities were carried out for the students, using videos as authentic material along with listening question activities. Feedback was provided through audio messages. The results revealed that students perceived that activities conducted with authentic material via WhatsApp were beneficial in improving their listening comprehension skills.