Tiktok and the speaking skill

Abstract

This research aimed to determine the influence of TikTok content on the development of Speaking Skills in students from B1 pre-intermediate level at Language Center from Universidad Técnica de Ambato. The study methodology was quasi-experimental with a quantitative approach. The main research tool was the B1Preliminary English Test (PET) Speaking Section exam used as a pre and posttest to collect data from 24 students in their speaking proficiency. A survey was administered to the whole group at the end of the treatment to analyze learners’ attitudes towards the use of mobile apps such as TikTok in the Speaking Skills development. A four-week treatment consisted of include TikTok short videos learning content to reinforce their knowledge and acquire new one. During the intervention, students’ watched English Learning videos to surface on the app using TikTok features and join to the researcher’s challenges to determine, whether TikTok app influences on the development of speaking skills. The data gathered was analyzed by using the statistical software IBM SPSS, Shapiro Wilk Statistic, and T- test for the verification of the hypothesis. The pretest and posttest data were obtain based on the Cambridge criteria, grammar, vocabulary, discourse management, and interactive communication. The posttest showed positive effects regarding learners speaking production in better control of simple grammatical forms, proper use of vocabulary to talk about familiar topics, likes, experiences, opinions, and mostly intelligible pronunciation after being exposed to English content on TikTok app. Also, the survey evidence students’ agreement towards the use of mobile apps to reinforce their English production.