Improving Speaking and Presentation Skills through Interactive Multimedia Environment for Non-Native Speakers of English

Abstract

This study examines the correlation existing between students speaking competency and their interaction with multimedia devices in the classroom learning process. A mixed-method study design has been employed to explore the impact of an interactive multimedia environment on their presentation and speaking skills. Initially, 46 Arabic-speaking students from the English Undergraduate Program (B.A. Degree) were recruited in this study. They were divided into two groups based on two intact classes for the same course. The total number of fully completed video-recorded presentations of the two sections was reduced to forty participants. These presentations served as the database for the pre-test result of the two sections before assigning one section as a control group and the other section as an experimental one. Moreover, a questionnaire was filled out by the experimental group students for further opinions and perceptions regarding the impact of multimedia technology on speaking skills. In addition, audio-recorded semi-structured interviews were conducted for in-depth understanding. The multimedia students’ group significantly outscored the non-multimedia group in the verbal presentation performance over the semester. The student’s performance showed that multimedia helped the students in learning better. The results revealed that there was a positive impact of multimedia environment on the development of presentation and speaking skills among the students.