Use of English Language Learning Software to Develop Listening Skills of Undergraduates: Performance and Perceptions of Students

Abstract

There has been a tremendous influence of information communication technologies in English language teaching across the world in the recent years. The ubiquitous intervention of technology has shaped language teaching and established a constructivist language learning approach. As it is observed by the researchers, undergraduate performance in listening skills is not satisfactory due to lack practices by using language learning software and modern tools in the English as Second Language (ESL) classrooms. Thus, this study aims at facilitating the ESL learners through computer assisted language learning (CALL) to develop listening skills of undergraduates at University of Vavuniya. Even though, a number of previous studies focused on enhancing ESL listening skills, this study attempts to develop undergraduates’ listening skills by using the language software “Study Skills” through Computer Assisted Language Learning sessions conducted in language laboratory. This study is based on a mixed method. The data were collected through pretest and posttest from focused group to analyze learners’ listening performance while questionnaires were collected to identify learners’ perception about the conservative listening practices and computer assisted listening practices. The quantitative data were analyzed by the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) while qualitative data were analyzed in thematic analysis. The findings of the study demonstrate that there is a significant improvement in the learners’ performance in listening skills by using language software and most of the learners expressed that the listening practices based on language learning software was more effective than the traditional listening practices in the ESL classroom