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

Abstract

Abstract:This study explores the impact of using authentic materials delivered via WhatsApp to improve listening skills in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students. The main goal is to determine how authentic materials influence students' listening comprehension and motivation. The research was conducted at a private educational institution in Santa Elena Province, in the canton of La Libertad, involving ten high school students as the study population. A mixed methodological design was used, combining qualitative and quantitative techniques to collect and analyze data. The instruments included surveys, observation checklists, and semi-structured interviews to gather information on students' perceptions and progress. Authentic materials included relevant audios and videos, and the process involved listening tasks followed by feedback through WhatsApp. The most significant finding reveals that using WhatsApp to deliver authentic materials not only enhances students' listening abilities but also boosts their motivation to learn English, providing a flexible and accessible method that simulates real interactions and promotes autonomous learning. This approach proves to be an effective tool in out-of-classroom educational settings.