Teachers’ and Students’ Attitudes towards the Use of YouTube Videos in Developing EFL Learners’ Speaking Skill

Abstract

Speaking is one of the most important language skills. It plays a crucial role in foreign language learning and teaching, which needs attention and interest among learners and teachers. However, the majority of EFL learners at the University of Guelma face many difficulties in their oral communication because the lack of language practices in real contexts. The present study attempts to investigate teachers’ and students’ attitudes towards the use of YouTube videos in developing EFL speaking skill. The current research has used a quantitative descriptive method to show the importance of using these tools to maximize students’ oral production. To examine the research hypothesis, two questionnaires for both teachers and students have been adopted as tools for data collection at Department of English Language, at the University of 08 Mai 1945 Guelma). The research was conducted with a sample of 100 third year students which selected randomly and 15 oral expression teachers. The analysis of these questionnaires revealed that EFL teachers and students hold favorable attitudes towards using YouTube videos inside the classroom to develop speaking skill, in addition the findings also showed that both teachers and students are aware about the importance of YouTube videos in raising their self confidence, practicing language as in real world contexts, and in reducing their reluctance to speak. Thus, it is strongly recommended that it is better to integrate YouTube videos in EFL classrooms to develop learners’ speaking skills.