THE EFFECT OF USING AUTHENTIC AUDIO AND VIDEO MATERIALS ON THE SPEAKING FLUENCY OF AUDITORY AND VISUAL IRANIAN LEARNERS

Abstract

When we talk about learning a second language, we internationally think of conversing with speakers of other languages. This means that speaking is seen as the prime purpose of language learning. This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of authentic auditory and visual materials on speaking fluency of Iranian EFL learners with auditory and visual styles of learning. The quasi-experimental design consisted of 60 Iranian EFL language learners divided into two groups of visual style and auditory style. A questionnaire on perceptual learning styles and a speaking fluency test were used to collect the data. Students with visual style received authentic visual materials and students with auditory style received authentic audio materials. The obtained data was analyzed by employing paired and independent samples t-test. The results of the study indicated that both groups of students significantly progressed in speaking fluency suggesting the positive effect of authentic visual materials on students with visual preferences and the positive effect of authentic audio materials on students with audio preferences. Moreover, both types of materials had equal effects on the participants of the study. The findings suggest that providing instruction that is congruent with students’ learning styles and the use of authentic materials appear to improve speaking fluency.