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

Abstract

Abstract:The present study, entitled The Use of Authentic Material through WhatsApp in Teaching Listening Skills in EFL Out-of-Classroom Settings, aims to determine the impact of using authentic materials delivered through WhatsApp to enhance the listening skills of EFL learners outside the traditional classroom environment. The research was carried out at a fiscomisional high school in Guayaquil, Ecuador, with 10 students from the second year of Bachillerato General Unificado (BGU), all possessing an English language level of B1. Data was collected using both qualitative and quantitative research methods through a mixed-method approach. Instruments included questionnaires to understand students perceptions, benefits, and limitations of using authentic listening multimedia via WhatsApp, as well as input from the teacher of the class. Observations were made using a structured observation form called an observation sheet. The intervention consisted of six listening activities that used authentic video materials shared in a WhatsApp group, followed by question-asking exercises and feedback for students. The study established that students listening comprehension improved through the use of authentic materials delivered via WhatsApp, highlighting the importance of integrating technology into learning outside traditional classroom settings.