Impact of WhatsApp Interaction on Improving L2 Speaking Skills

Authors

  • Sherine Akkara Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science, Chennai
  • V Surya Seshagiri Anumula Research Scholar, Department of Languages, Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science, Padur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
  • Mallikarjuna Sastry Mallampalli Research Scholar, Department of Languages, Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science, Padur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v15i03.11534

Keywords:

Mobile Assisted Language Learning, SLA, Listening, Speaking, WhatsApp, Informal learning, collaborative learning

Abstract


Mobile Assisted Language Learning (MALL) not only provides access to authentic learning resources and facilitates second language (L2) learning anytime and anywhere but also offers scope for informal learning beyond the classroom. Social media with instant messaging and multi-modal communication and information sharing provide platforms for interaction with peers and collaborative learning to hone their L2 skills. There is little research on informal learning through WhatsApp in enhancing L2 speaking skills. This paper studies the impact of interaction and informal learning in a WhatsApp group on improving a) fluency and coherence, b) lexical resource, c) grammatical range and accuracy and d) pronunciation which form the criteria for assessing speaking skills in IELTS. It also studies how participants perceive the changes in their speaking skills based on the band descriptors of IELTS. Mixed methods approach was adopted to obtain data from the group consisting of mixed ability participants (n=110) with pre and post speaking assessments and pre and post surveys. The participants were given collaborative learning activities and problem solving tasks at regular intervals for over two semesters. The results indicated statistically significant difference in their speaking skills and considerable change in their perceptions. The study has implications for both teachers and researchers of second language acquisition (SLA) for incorporating social media for interaction in the target language beyond the classroom.

Author Biographies

Sherine Akkara, Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science, Chennai

Head of the Dept. of Languages and Rankings at Hindustan Institute of Technology & Science,(HITS), Chennai, India. She has presented papers at several Higher Education Conferences at Malaysia, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Johannesburg and Philippines. She has more than 30 publications in reputed journals including Scopus indexed journals.

V Surya Seshagiri Anumula, Research Scholar, Department of Languages, Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science, Padur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Research scholar at Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Mallikarjuna Sastry Mallampalli, Research Scholar, Department of Languages, Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science, Padur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Research scholar at Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

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Published

2020-02-18

How to Cite

Akkara, S., Anumula, V. S. S., & Mallampalli, M. S. (2020). Impact of WhatsApp Interaction on Improving L2 Speaking Skills. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning (iJET), 15(03), pp. 250–259. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v15i03.11534

Issue

Section

Short Papers