Digital Technology in Classrooms: The Use of Video Clips to Improve Students' Speaking Skill

Abstract

Speaking skill seems to be the most difficult language skill to teach Myanmar students, probably because English is used only in the classroom. The aim of this study is to compare the results of the teaching technique using a form of digital technology with those of o traditional teaching technique. We provided some Myanmar university students with motivating exposure to English speaking through video clips and gave them the opportunity to develop their English speaking skill. Third-year students at the University o.f Computer Studies at Panglong were taught by means of group activities and individual activities using video clips. We followed the new trend: videos were presented with only short durations. Their improvements and responses were assessed through a questionnaire. As a control group, another group of students were taught without the aid of video clips. When the results were compared, both groups showed significant improvements but the group that was taught with video clips was more motivated and they were found to look forward to the speaking lessons. It is accepted that student motivation is a key element in the learning process, and thus we conclude that teaching English skill using video clips is a welcome addition to the variety of classroom activities.