THE USE OF DIGITAL TOOLS IN TEACHING ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE
Keywords:
digital tools, EFL teaching, language learning technology, mobile-assisted language learning (MALL), online platforms, communicative competence, learner autonomy, multimedia learning, student engagement, language acquisitionAbstract
This study explores the effectiveness of digital tools in teaching English as a Foreign Language (EFL) and their impact on learners’ language development, motivation, and engagement. With the growing integration of information and communication technologies in education, digital tools such as mobile applications, online platforms, and multimedia resources have become essential components of modern language instruction. The research employed a mixed-methods approach involving intermediate-level undergraduate students divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group was taught using various digital tools, while the control group followed traditional teaching methods. Data were collected through pre-tests, post-tests, questionnaires, and interviews. The findings reveal that the use of digital tools significantly improves students’ listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills, with particularly strong effects on communicative competence and learner autonomy. Additionally, students demonstrated higher levels of motivation and active participation in technology-enhanced learning environments. The study concludes that digital tools play a crucial role in modern EFL pedagogy and recommends their balanced and strategic integration into classroom practices.
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