The Effects of TED Talks as an Instructional Tool on Developing EFL Learners’ Speaking Accuracy and Fluency: Attitude in Focus

Abstract

This research examined the impacts of implementing TED Talks on improving Saudi Arabian EFL students’ speaking fluency and accuracy. In addition, the attitudes of Saudi Arabian EFL learners towards TED Talks were examined by using a questionnaire. To achieve these objectives, 75 Saudi Arabian intermediate EFL learners were selected and separated into three equal groups (accuracy, fluency, and control). Then, the three groups were pretested by administering a speaking test. After pretesting, both experimental groups received the treatment by applying TED Talks. On the other side, the respondents of the control group received a conventional speaking instruction. After teaching 11 topics, a speaking post-test was administered to all participants to determine the impacts of the treatment on their speaking accuracy and fluency. Besides, an attitude questionnaire was administered to the experimental groups to examine their general attitudes towards the TED Talks effects on English language learning. The data of the pre and post-tests were analyzed by utilizing One-way ANOVA and the gained outcomes showed that both experimental groups outflanked the control students on the post-test speaking. In addition, the findings of one sample t-test indicated that the experimental students presented favorable attitudes toward the implementation of applying TED Talks in the Saudi Arabian EFL context. The results of this research can produce some implications for EFL instructors, students, and material developers.