This action research’s aim is to explore the impact of podcasting in improving speaking and metacognition skills of students in an EFL classroom.
The experiment lasted 8 weeks and a mixed-method approach was used. There were 12 students in the experiment and 12 students in the control group. Research tools were pre/post tests, informal interviews, and a survey. Students made podcasts based on curricular topics weekly. The process included writing a scenario, recording and uploading it to a telegram channel. Students were evaluated according to grammatical range and accuracy, vocabulary, format, content, and delivery.
The findings revealed that those students who could not convey their thoughts, uttering simple sentences with long pauses in pretest spoke confidently and more fluently using simple and complex sentences including conditionals, present perfect, with adequate vocabulary. For example, while two students scored 2 out of 6 in the pretest, they improved to 4 and 5 out of 6 in the posttest. Participants in the control group didn’t show significant improvement. On average, students in the experimental group scored 1- 1.5 higher in posttest.
According to the survey, a 36.4% increase in accuracy and fluency, and 27.3 % in vocabulary knowledge was achieved. Students have learned grammatical structures such as conditionals, perfect tense, infinitive/gerund. Podcasting built on vocabulary knowledge; on average about 30 new words. Interview data demonstrated that motivation, critical and creative thinking skills were enhanced, additionally students started noticing and correcting their mistakes which also improved their metacognitive skills.

Authors:
Ainaz Shadkam, Nazarbayev Intellectual School of Chemistry and Biology in Aktau, Kazakhstan
Madina Yeskeldi, Nazarbayev Intellectual School of Chemistry and Biology in Aktau, Kazakhstan
Khuriya Paviz, Nazarbayev Intellectual School of Chemistry and Biology in Aktau, Kazakhstan

About the Presenter(s)
Madina Yeskeldi, an English Language Teacher at Nazarbayev Intellectual School of Chemistry and Biology in Aktau, Kazakhstan

See this presentation on the full schedule – Saturday Schedule

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