Usage of Video and Multimedia to Improve Listening Skills: The Perception of Foreign Language Students

Abstract

The purpose of this study is related to the improvement of listening skills of the Faculty of Foreign Languages, University of Tirana, students, through the use of video and multimedia materials. To meet this purpose, the perceptions of those students who attend subjects such as "Listening Skills Development" as well as "Foreign Language" only with audio materials, were collected. The sample of the student population for this study was 159, including students of the first year of the Italian and English language branches of study as well as students of the third year of the Italian language. The study follows a cross-sectional research design for the collection of data regarding the perceptions of students. The tools used in this study were authentic didactic video and multimedia materials, as well as a questionnaire divided into two sections: the first part with four general questions and the second part with nine specific questions. During the realization of the video lesson, the students showed increased motivation, and the interaction was very vivid. This is confirmed by the analysis of the results of the questionnaire, which indicates that the majority of students agree that the use of video and multimedia materials in the language class helps them improve their listening skills, in line with previous studies. Finally, limitations and recommendations are provided for lecturers on the way video materials are applicable in the foreign language class, in order to realize an efficient teaching process based on the suggestions of the most recent glottodidactic approaches.

Received: 1 September 2023 / Accepted: 22 September 2023 / Published: 5 November 2023