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

Abstract

Abstract: The study - Technological Profile of English as a Foreign Language Teachers in Loja, Ecuador - aimed to determine the factors that influence the technological skills of teachers and their perceptions based on the use of technologies in English classes. The research was conducted in one private and one public institutions in the province of Loja and employed a mixed method approach. The sample consisted of 70 high school students in private institutions, 75 students in public institutions, and six English teachers from both types of institutions. The instruments were a questionnaire for students, a questionnaire for teachers, a semi-structured interview, and an observation form. The results revealed that the experience and age of the teachers seems to be related to technological skills in English classes. In addition, differences in technological proficiency among EFL teachers in public and private schools are highlighted in factors such as Internet access, investment in technological resources, and structured support for teacher training. The study also highlights that students and teachers have different perceptions of the application of technology in the classroom.