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

Abstract

Abstract: This research examines the use of authentic materials via WhatsApp in teaching listening skills in EFL settings outside of the classroom. The main purpose is to determine the impact of using authentic materials delivered via WhatsApp on developing EFL students' listening skills in out-of-class settings. The research was conducted at a public school in the parish of Lumbaqui, Gonzalo Pizarro canton, Sucumbíos province, Ecuador. The selected population consisted of ten students and one teacher of English as a foreign language (EFL) from the Second Year (BGU) Unified General Baccalaureate (UGC). Participants ranged in age from sixteen to seventeen years old, with an A2-B1 English level. English classes were scheduled for three hours per week. The main objective was to comprehensively analyze students' perceptions of the use of authentic materials via WhatsApp in an out-of-class setting. Especially in listening comprehension skills, both the advantages and disadvantages. The most important finding indicates and supports that EFL students are significantly inclined to use authentic material via WhatsApp, which helps them develop listening comprehension skills.