Preliminary Study: Effects of Daily Shadowing Homework Using Audio Dropbox on EFL Speaking Skills

Abstract

This study has two purposes: to 1) examine how shadowing training methods and materials given to Japanese English as a foreign language (EFL) learners improve speaking skills, and 2) examine the effectiveness of submitting homework via audio files as part of shadowing training among Japanese EFL learners. In this study, participants—two Japanese undergraduate students and one Chinese graduate student—practiced shadowing through homework and submitted audio files daily for 15 weeks in the first semester of 2016. They registered for a mandatory Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) preparatory course at a university, but no other English course during the semester. The effectiveness of shadowing training was evaluated using VersantTM English tests, analysis of each participant’s study journal, distribution of questionnaires, and short interviews with participants. Their journals recorded that two out of three participants practiced shadowing for more than 30 hours each. Results of comparing their best pre- and post-course TOEIC scores showed improvement in their English speaking proficiency. Although earlier studies on shadowing training indicated that shadowing improved learners’ listening skills, this study suggests that shadowing training is applicable for improving speaking skills as well.