Improving speaking skills by implementing self-assessment and self-regulation facilitated by whatsapp in 8th year students

Abstract

This study aimed to improve the Speaking skills of a group of young learners by implementing Self-regulation and Self-assessment facilitated by WhatsApp. Students could upload five audios and self-assess their learning. The sample involved twenty-eight 8th-grade learners with an A1 English level from a public school in Pedernales, Manabi. The facilitator provided meaningful activities designed in a lesson plan, where learners, through effective practice, uploaded and self-assessed their work contrasting them against a rubric, obtaining a significant and positive effect size of 2.42 as the global speaking skill improvement at the final part of the innovation. Findings also showed a significant improvement in teacher and students' average scores on the audio, with a slight difference between both means. The instruments included a pre & post-test, a rubric, a checklist, and an interview. Since self-regulation was beneficial, EFL teachers may find the results and discussion of this research valuable for its implementation in classes.