Integration of E-Technologies in ESL Classrooms Evaluating the Impact of ICT-Intensive Pedagogy on English Speaking Skills of learners of primary schools

Abstract

The integration of educational technologies to teach English Speaking skills in public sector primary schools in Pakistan lacked due attention. Furthermore, learning objectives set in the Pakistani national curriculum for English language are vague as well as there are no guidelines available for teachers to adopt digital learning resources in their teaching practice. The educators in Pakistan are unaware of the fact that the implementation of E-technologies in classroom practice can ease their task of achieving the learning objectives. The research is based on a mix-method approach to investigate the impact of the use of digital learning tools and resources in teaching English speaking skills. The ILOs for English speaking skills are proposed and lesson plans are designed to achieve these ILOs through digitized learning activities. The quantitative data (pre-post quasi experimental design) was obtained from 120 participants (9-13 years old) whereas qualitative data was gathered by arranging in-depth interviews from six teachers and focus group discussions from 12 learners in total ( 2 groups). The pre and post APTIS test results were analysed by using SPSS software. However, interviews and FGDs were analysed by using content analysis approach. The analysis shows that ICT-intensive pedagogy has significantly impacted English speaking skills of learners of government primary schools in Pakistan. The study shows the variance level of 70% after the intervention which is considered substantial. This pedagogy facilitated teachers to deliver lessons efficiently and achieve ILOs faster than conventional teaching methods. It is of the fact that digital tools and gadgets are well incorporated in English speaking lessons that made the learners show high progress in all parts of the English proficiency test. Teachers and learners showed a positive attitude and receptiveness towards the use of digitized activities and they intend to use them in future ESL lessons if they are provided and given free access to digital educational equipment. The research also spots that males and females have similar aptitudes in relation to the use of digital tools and gadgets for the learning process. The study concludes that high performance and increased confidence level of learners are closely linked to the use of digital technologies and its implementation in ESL lessons. It is the need of the time to train teachers in the field of educational technologies and provide digital resources at all government primary schools with free access to teachers and learners to make them better communicators in the target language. This is the only way forward to progress in education.