Using Technology to Support Speaking in the Heterogeneous Young Learners’ EFL Classroom

Abstract

AbstractIn this study, I investigate the potential of technology-enhanced tasks to support oral communication in the heterogeneous young learners’ English as a foreign language (EFL) classroom. It has been established that technology holds potential for the development of learners’ oral communication skills in foreign language learning. However, most studies have mainly focused on adolescent or adult learners so far. Here I present a classroom-based research project carried out with 3rd graders in a German primary school. Together with two other projects, it is part of a qualitative study for a PhD dissertation that examines possibilities to employ technology-enhanced tasks to support primary school pupils in speaking English. Interviews with in-service and pre-service teachers were conducted to shed light on how they see the potential of technology-enhanced tasks to promote oral communication in a heterogeneous EFL primary classroom. First preliminary findings are presented in this paper.KeywordsYoung learnersEFLSpeakingHeterogeneityTasksTechnologyPrimary schoolClassroom-based Apps