Impact of Videoconference with Native English Speakers on Chinese EFL Learners’ Oral Competence and Self-Confidence

Abstract

This study presents an educational collaborative project between two colleges in the United States and China. Forty-five Chinese pre-service teachers and 5 American undergraduates participated in the project which involved a 10-week online synchronous videoconference between the participants. The project aimed at improving Chinese EFL learners’ English oral skills as well as their confidence in teaching English language in future. Quasi-experiment design was employed to evaluate the effectiveness of the project. Results showed that online synchronous videoconference with native English speakers did have positive impacts on Chinese participants’ English pronunciation and oral fluency & coherent. No significant difference was found in confidence measures. The outcomes of the project contribute to the relevant literature with an applicable and low-cost English language training model for EFL learners.