Exploring EFL Learners’ Attitudes towards Using Chat Room Conversation for Improving their Speaking Skill

Abstract

Abstract The present work is concerned with exploring EFL students’ challenges in speaking, and their attitudes towards using online chat rooms conversation for improving their speaking skills. It attempts to highlight the role of using online chat rooms conversation. These learners have been selected from the English department at Mohamed El Bachir El Ibrahimi University in Bourj_Bou_Arreridj. The present study aimed to explore master one learners’ perspectives and attitudes towards using online chat rooms conversation to improve their speaking skills and to shed light on the significance and effectiveness of using chat rooms in improving EFL students’ oral performance. The research instruments employed were based on a pre-questionnaire gathered from 65 students who were selected randomly. We selected out 20 students from among the 65 students for observation through an online treatment, at the end of which we administrated a postquestionnaire that was designed for them. After collecting the relevant data and analyzing it qualitatively, the results showed that the students face many linguistic and psychological difficulties in their speaking performance. In addition, the results obtained suggest that the use of online chat room conversation is effective in developing students speaking abilities and helpful in improving their speaking skills.