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

Abstract

Abstract: The purpose of this research is to determine the importance of using authentic material through WhatsApp in teaching listening skills in English as a foreign language outside the classroom. The research was conducted in a private secondary education institution located in Quito. The sample included 18 students from the third year of secondary school, along with a teacher. A mixed method was used, involving both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Two questionnaires were applied to the students, an interview with the teacher, and observations of six activities proposed in class. The activities consisted of sending a video of authentic material through WhatsApp to the students after an initial introduction, then they had to answer a questionnaire created within the same application. The results indicated that the students improved both their listening skills, as well as their motivation and engagement. Furthermore, this study revealed that using WhatsApp as a learning tool improves confidence in real-world communication and facilitates interaction with peers and teachers, providing access to a wide range of sources that contributes to its effectiveness in the educational context.