Enhancing the Listening and Speaking Skills Using Interactive Online Tools in the HEIs Context

Abstract

Online learning has become the most prominent teaching method utilized by Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) during the spread of COVID-19 pandemic. There are abundant online learning websites to practice reading skills, writing skills, vocabulary and grammar. However, there are very limited interactive websites for students to practice and develop their listening and speaking skills. Hence, this study, which was conducted in a private HEI in Oman, examines English Foundation students` perspectives on the use of two distinctive websites; ESL-lab.com and Youglish.com. in enhancing their listening, speaking and pronunciation skills. The study employed a quantitative approach. An online survey was administered on (75) participants enrolled in the General Foundation Program (GFP) to explore their views on the chosen interactive websites. The main results revealed positive feedback from ESL students in which they were exposed to authentic conversational contexts, which accustomed them to different English –speaking and culture-specific lifestyles. Overall, the two websites proved to be highly interactive and effective in enhancing the listening, speaking and pronunciation skills of GFP students. Moreover, the researchers recommended that the two websites to be used in the Undergraduate (UG) modules level especially Youglish.com in which UG students can learn the pronunciation of the technical terms of their specializations.