The outcome of using the Line app for English-speaking practice of Thai EFL students
Issued Date
2022-09-01
Resource Type
ISSN
16756061
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85140379199
Journal Title
Journal of Institutional Research South East Asia
Volume
20
Issue
2
Start Page
161
End Page
193
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Journal of Institutional Research South East Asia Vol.20 No.2 (2022) , 161-193
Suggested Citation
Suthiwartnarueput T. The outcome of using the Line app for English-speaking practice of Thai EFL students. Journal of Institutional Research South East Asia Vol.20 No.2 (2022) , 161-193. 193. Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/87591
Title
The outcome of using the Line app for English-speaking practice of Thai EFL students
Author(s)
Author's Affiliation
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Fluency in speaking English is essential for communication, but it also brings success, from getting a job promotion to earning a higher academic degree. In this connection comes the consideration of language tool development for improving the spoken English of students. Of course, social messaging applications are one of the keys to increasing speaking proficiency in the 21st century, as they are instrumental and easily applied in teaching and learning. In Thailand, LINE App holds the number 1 position in the social networking app market. Its popularity is constantly growing, making most Thai people familiar with this application daily. In education, LINE App is usually selected as the first choice in many courses for not only giving students notifications about the courses but also being a space for students to consult with teachers and friends. LINE App also contains many essential features for communication, such as free voice and video calls, LINE Camera, LINE KEEP, etc., all of which can be used for language learning. The present study aimed (1) to examine the effects of using LINE App for English speaking practice on the students’ English speaking proficiency and (2) to study the critical role of contributory factors triggered by the use of LINE App, such as motivation, levels of anxiety, self-confidence, and convenience in improving the students’ speaking proficiency. The participants were 95 Thai undergraduate students in a public university in Bangkok. The data were collected from the pre-test and post-test, and interview responses. The comparison between the pre-test and the post-test reveals a marked improvement in the students’ English speaking proficiency after four weeks of speaking practice via LINE App (t =-23.79, p ≤ 0.05.). Considering the interview results, the students were highly motivated, confident, and less anxious while speaking English after receiving the English-speaking treatment via the LINE App.