The Effectiveness of YouTube in Developing and Improving English Foreign Language Learners’ Speaking Skills

Abstract

This study investigates the competence of employing YouTube videos in teaching speaking skills among EFL Turkish students in Turkey. The study comprised 40 students attending general English-speaking classes in a language school in Istanbul, Turkey. The participants were divided equally into an experimental group and a control group of 20 students each. The traditional method was employed in teaching speaking for the control group, while YouTube videos were used for the experimental group. Both groups were given an oral pre-test and post-test to track their development. Four experienced English teachers rated the participants’ speaking performance using TOEFL independent speaking descriptors, which consist of four primary classifications: general description, delivery, language use, and topic development. The study's outcome showed that both groups' speaking performance was developed. However, the experimental group demonstrated a better speaking improvement than the traditional one. Delivery and language use were noticeably advanced in the experimental group's performance using YouTube videos during speaking classes.