Reflective practice and prezi — tools for improving academic speaking skills

Abstract

This paper aims at investigating the usefulness of the reflective practice supported by technology as a tool for improving academic speaking skills. The study employs two groups of undergraduate students in the Integrated Skills course for Academic Purpose, at the University of Szeged, that undergo the same instruction. The non-experimental group does not use technology to support their speaking practice, while the experimental group uses Prezi. The instruments used in the research are surveys and the instructor’s journal. The results reveal that students perceive reflective practice as a useful tool that helps them think critically about their performance. What is more, the study shows that reflective activities, when combined with online resources boost motivation for speaking and better presentation performance.