Improving speaking skills through the use of a blog

Abstract

This research aims to improve the speaking skills of students at the same time that they develop their learning competences. Even though the time devoted to the English language is not lower in Spanish high schools than in other European countries, the mastery of speaking skills among students in Spain compares very badly with the level of those who study in a foreign country. The methodology followed in this study differs from the traditional one in an English classroom, trying to motivate students through the use of a blog and applying a new methodology based on treasure hunt. The blog includes materials and activities chosen to create topics of discussion in the classroom, thanks to which students are supposed to make use of their speaking skills at the same time that the teacher provides feedback to them. The study is divided into four different categories which include: (i) the importance of integrating ICT and new teaching methodologies into the classroom, (ii) the theoretical framework on the speaking skill in Spanish high schools, (iii) using a blog to improve speaking skills, and (iv) the analysis of the results obtained.