Development of College English Listening and Speaking Course Based on an Outcome-Based Education Approach Combined with Blended Learning to Enhance English Listening and Speaking Skills of Non-English Major Freshmen Students at Xi’an University

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Background and Aim: This study was a research and development of a College English Listening and Speaking Course. The objectives of this research were 1) To study the background information focusing on course components and existing problems of the College English Listening and Speaking Course. 2) To develop the components and quality of the College English Listening and Speaking Course based on an outcome-based education approach combined with blended learning. 3) To study the effectiveness of implementing College English Listening and Speaking Course based on outcome-based education combined with blended learning to enhance English listening and speaking skills of non-English major students. Materials and Methods: The sample of this study was 40 non-English major freshmen students from Xi’an University, the People's Republic of China. They were derived by cluster random sampling. The instruments used in this research were 1) College English Listening and Speaking Course based on the outcome-based education approach combined with blended learning and its lesson plans, 2) English listening skills test with .88 of reliability, and 3) English speaking skills test with .74 of reliability 4) students’ satisfaction questionnaire with .79 of reliability. The statistics used to analyze data included mean, standard deviation, and t-test for one sample. Results: The research results found that 1) the background information of the College English Listening and Speaking Course and its current problems were principles, objectives, content, instructional strategy, media, and resource evaluation. 2) College English Listening and Speaking Course based on outcome-based education approach and blended learning consisted of 6 steps, that is, Step 1: Determine expected learning outcomes (OBE) Step 2: Design teaching activities(OBE) Step 3: Design teaching methods (blended learning) Step 4: Design teaching assessments (OBE and blended learning) Step 5: Continuous feedback and adaptation (OBE) Step 6: Reflection and improvement (OBE and blended learning) 3) the results of implementation of College English Listening and Speaking Course based on outcome-based education approach combined with blended learning found that (1) Students’ English listening skills after using outcome-based education approach combined with blended learning method was higher than before at a statistically significant level of .01 (M=24.35, SD=2.46). (2)Students’ English speaking skills after using an outcome-based education approach combined with the blended learning method were higher than before at a statistically significant level of .01 (M=24.35, SD=2.46). (3)The satisfaction of students after using the outcome-based education approach combined with the blended learning method was at a higher level (M=4.11, SD=0.64). Conclusion: The developed College English Listening and Speaking Course based on an outcome-based education approach combined with blended learning has a significant effect on enhancing the English listening and speaking skills of non-English major students at Xi’an University. Students are satisfied with the developed College English Listening and Speaking Course based on an outcome-based education approach combined with blended learning.