Peer Feedback to Improve Speaking Facilitated by Telegram Messenger: modality: Research Report

Abstract

This research report was conducted online, through a platform called zoom. Participants were university students aged between 19 to 26 years old and whose proficiency level ranged from A1 to B2. The participants performed online activities, which enabled them to learn new vocabulary, practice pronunciation, develop fluency, while relating what they learn to their daily-life conversations. Likewise, they recorded themselves pronouncing the new words and phrases learnt, as well as a monologue which they created, using Telegram messenger. During the study, participants took a pre-test and a post-test to determine their improvement. The results of the post-test showed an improvement, which was statistically significant with a p value of 0.0000 and with a medium effect size (0.60), in comparison with the results of the pre-test. Similarly, the findings of the interview revealed that students perceived peer feedback as a useful instrument to improve their oral skills. It was also revealed that peer feedback engages learners to participate more in class, despite the virtual environment. The transcendence and challenges of the use of peer feedback as a strategy in English as a foreign language educational environment are discussed. This study confirms that peer feedback facilitated by Telegram messenger improves communicative competence.