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

Abstract

Abstract: The present study, "The Use of Authentic Material through WhatsApp in Teaching Listening Skills in EFL Out-of-Classroom Settings," focuses on determining the influence of the use of authentic material provided through WhatsApp on the development of EFL students' listening skills outside of the classroom. This study was conducted at a private educational institution in Conocoto (Quito, Ecuador) with twenty-seven second-year BGU students at the B1 level of English proficiency. A mixed methodology was used, including qualitative and quantitative data. The instruments applied were: a questionnaire on student perceptions, a questionnaire on the advantages and disadvantages of using authentic content through WhatsApp, a teacher questionnaire, and an observation sheet. In addition, a WhatsApp group was created in which six listening activities were conducted for students using videos as authentic material, simultaneously with survey-based activities. The results revealed that students improved their listening skills with the help of activities conducted with authentic materials via WhatsApp.