How Do Speech Model Proficiency and Viewing Order Affect Japanese EFL Learners’ Speaking Performances?

Abstract

Learners in foreign language classrooms can benefit from viewing model videos featuring other non-native speakers, which helps to develop their public speaking performance. The present study attempts to replicate Okada, Sawaumi, and Ito (2017), who demonstrated how the viewing order of different model speakers affected learners’ public speaking performance. The participants were Japanese freshmen (N = 24) enrolled in English communication courses. In the classroom-oriented study, one group was shown more- and less-proficient speaker models prior to delivering the second and third presentations, respectively; the other group was shown the same models in the opposite order. To determine whether the models impacted learners in any meaningful way, self- and peer evaluations were obtained from participants following each speaking performance and analyzed in conjunction with responses to reflection papers. Results from two-way ANOVAs indicated that video-based observational learning in the viewing order of less-proficient speakers first and more-proficient ones next resulted in improved peer evaluation in subsequent performances, which was consistent with the findings of Okada et al. (2017). Responses to reflection papers revealed that both more and less-proficient speaker models helped enhance learners’ awareness of self/others and improve their own public speaking skills in the EFL classroom.