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

Abstract

Abstract: This study analyzes the impact of using authentic materials sent via WhatsApp to improve the listening skills of English as a foreign language students at level A1. The study was conducted in a public, urban school in the city of Loja, Ecuador, and included 16 second-year high school students. The methodology used a mixed-method approach, allowing for the collection of qualitative and quantitative data using a questionnaire as the main instrument to determine students' perceptions. To this end, a questionnaire on the advantages and disadvantages of using authentic materials via WhatsApp and a questionnaire for the teacher were administered, along with an observation sheet. In addition, six listening activities were implemented in a WhatsApp group that used videos as authentic materials and question-and-answer tasks. The results showed that students perceived these activities as beneficial for improving their listening skills, largely confirming the effectiveness of WhatsApp as a tool for teaching English as a foreign language outside the classroom.