Forum for Linguistic Studies 2023; 5(3): 1919.
Original Article
1
Using Adobe Connect application in an EFL context: Does it have
an effect on learners’ speaking skills?
Kamran Janfeshan
Department of English Language Teaching, Kermanshah Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kermanshah 67146, Iran;
dr.kjanfeshan@gmail.com
ABSTRACT: The main aim of the present study was to explore the
impact of Adobe Connect on Iranian English as a foreign language (EFL)
learners’ speaking skills. Furthermore, the study investigated whether the
learners’ attitudes to language learning changed after using Adobe
Connect. For that purpose, 100 upper-intermediate EFL students were
chosen through the convenience sampling method. The selected students
were randomly assigned to two classes. The experimental group applied
the Adobe Connect application; however, the conventional teacher-fronted
instruction was used for the control group. The results showed that the
Adobe Connect class considerably outperformed in speaking skills in
comparison to the control group. This demonstrated that the Adobe
Connect application is effective in improving learners’ speaking skills. The
findings suggest that Adobe Connect has a positive impact on enhancing
learners’ speaking skills. The platform’s interactive features promote
engagement and collaboration, leading to improvements in fluency,
accuracy, pronunciation, and confidence. The results also revealed that
there was a difference in attitude change between the participants in
experimental and control classes. Adobe Connect has enhanced EFL
learners’ attitudes toward language learning as well as speaking skills. Thus,
it can be suggested that the Adobe Connect application is an effective
online instrument that can be used by EFL teachers.
KEYWORDS: Adobe Connect application; speaking skills; attitudes
towards English learning; Iranian EFL learners; online learning
1. Introduction
The primary objective in using a language is to communicate meaningfully with others; therefore,
humans must learn the spoken form of the language that is used among them to express their meaning
and intent (Hassan, 2014). This indicates that speaking is the most important talent and speaking is the
primary way of communicating ideas, feelings, emotions, beliefs, and information. Nowicka and
Wilczyn’ska (2011) asserted that speaking is possibly the primary skill that represents an entire
understanding of a foreign language. That is why if a person speaks a language, he is typically considered
a speaker of that particular language. Scrutinizing the language teaching approaches, it can be observed
that many drills, exercises, and techniques are devoted to improving speaking ability. In addition, rapid
technology advancements result in innovative learning experiences in language classrooms to practice
speaking skills.
Regarding the development of the internet and the availability of different types of computers
ARTICLE INFO
Received: 9 August 2023
Accepted: 12 September 2023
Available online: 11 October 2023
doi: 10.59400/fls.v5i3.1919
Copyright © 2023 Author(s).
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