Abstract

Use of technology develops learner’s oral fluency, as well as their other learning skills. The recent research is on the role of modern technology in developing oral fluency of English among the students of intermediate level. The objective of the paper is to answer the question, what role technology plays in developing the oral fluency of learners? This study has been built on the hypothesis that technology has a positive influence on oral fluency, as by using technology learners enhance their oral fluency. In order to check our hypothesis this study used the quantitative data through questionnaire from 200 students (both male and female) aged between 17-19 years, at intermediate level from Government Emerson College Multan and Government Degree College Multan. The framework employed in this study is the input hypothesis by Stephen Krashen (1977). The hypothesis that technology plays positive role in developing oral fluency among students is proved in conclusion.

Key Words

Modern Technology, Oral Fluency, Use of Technology in Second Language Learning.

Introduction

Oral fluency is one of those most important skills that must be mastered by the students in order to learn English. Oral fluency is a measure of how easily, accurately, and clearly people can communicate their ideas and opinions. The correct pronunciation of words and sounds is very much important in fluency. A lot of modern technologies have been introduced in 21th century classrooms, and technology plays role in giving chance to learners in developing their oral fluency. Modern technologies are used abundantly nowadays in almost each and every field, and in the field of education as well. This paper will also explore, what role technology plays in developing the oral fluency of the learners at intermediate level as stated above. 

Modern technologies are used to enhance the four skills of reading, writing, speaking, and listening, and by using it learners can increase their process of learning in order to develop their skills. Unlimited resources to language learners are provided though technology, according to Bull and Ma (2001). Suitable technological materials are beneficial for learners, according to Clements and Sarama (2003). Learners can gain appropriate materials and rapid information through computer-based activities, according to Tomlison (2009) and GencIter (2015). We can say that technology is an integral part in the learning process of learners, and it can give learners motivation as well. 

Due to the role of technology in learning the role of language teaching methods has been changed, and now learners can learn on the basis of their own interests. Teachers started using the technology to teach second language and develop the skills of students with the help of technology in the early 1960s and 1970s. Computers, mobile devices, televisions, tablets, software applications, social media, and the internet can help learners in developing their oral fluency of English. There are various modern technologies that can be used in classrooms and by learners themselves in order to develop their oral fluency.

Teachers can use videos for mini-lessons to develop oral fluency and many websites also offer teacher-made videos for developing skills of learners. Live videos for delivering lecture added to the classroom enhance oral skills or learners, such as on Skype on which the guest speakers speak voluntarily on the given topic. Audio and video taped can be used to develop the oral fluency of learners. Sound effects and short video lessons added to the multimedia presentations in classrooms help in developing oral fluency among students. 

Oral fluency is very much important for international communication activities. Modern technology helps a lot in enhancing oral fluency and providing high quality education. Learners have an easy access to technology nowadays, and teachers also have access of technology to make learners use technology in order to develop their skills and in improving their communication at any level and at any stage of their learning. The use of technology has made learning easy and accessible. By knowing the role of technology in learning many positive changes can take place in modern classrooms. Teachers and learners can also use emerging technology in order to make learning interesting and easy too.

Literature Review

The use of technology by learners and teachers facilitate learning, and by taking the help of technology learners can get increased level of motivation which helps to increase their progress in learning a second language as well, these are the views of  Dunkel(1990); Riasati, , Allahyar, and Tan, 2012. Academic ability of learners is also improved by using technology, and technology also develops learner’slanguage proficiency and their academic skills according to Galavis (1998). 

According to Gillespie (2006), learners gather more information and get easy access to images, audio, videos and other resources in order to develop their learning skills. By using images, audio and videos it becomes easier for learners to develop their oral fluency as well. According to Riasati, Allahyar, and Tan, (2012), technology can help in lowering learner’s anxiety. By lowering anxiety learners can be more proficient in developing their oral skills and others as well. When the motivation level is high and anxiety level is low, learners can get best output. 

According to the study of Ozerol (2009), technology plays significant roles in lowering the anxiety level of learners and by doing this, give more chances and opportunities to them in order to become more proficient in communication skills. According to Braul (2006), also, use of computers and technology in classes improves the learning skills of learners and their output as well. In language learning classrooms, computers can be used for various purposes, such as for developing writing skills, reading comprehension, listening, and speaking skills, pronunciation, and oral fluency of target language. 

According to Rodonadze and Zarbazoia, (2012), by using multimedia and software, teachers can create more interactive lectures, and can engage more learners by conducting more energetic classes. Teachers can increase literacy and understanding level of learners by using technology. Teachers and learners can get more chances for developing their language skills, and getting near native proficiency in the target language.  According toParvin and Salam (2015), learners can improve their language skills and increase their exposure to language in order to make their own individual knowledge about the language. By doing this learners can get an effective help in developing their oral skills too. 

According to Lin & Yan (2011), technology helps in improving and developing vocabulary, sentence structure, spelling, of target language. Bulut, Delen, and Costely further studies the impacts of technology on learning skills of learners and concluded that modern technology and communication technology helps learners to improve their math and science too.  Learners who were using technology were better in their math skills and science knowledge than those who were not using technology in learning. 




Framework

The theoretical framework that is employed in this study is the input hypothesis that was developed by the linguist Stephen Krashen, in 1970s and 1980s, and input hypothesis was published in 1977. According to this hypothesis language acquisition takes place only when a message that is being transmitted is understood, it means that the main focus is not on the form of the language but on what is being said. According to this hypothesis when language is being taught it is best understood, while using it to transmit the messages, instead of teaching a language for conscious learning. 

Learners who learn the language make progress and improvement in their learning process, along the natural order. The input must be comprehensible, and the learners must be able to get the meaning from what they hear instead of just hearing noise. Learners can acquire language best when they understand the language input that is slightly beyond their current level of language competence. This is a concept that was given by linguists Krashen and Tarrell.

The primary importance of input hypothesis is on ‘comprehensible input’(IC).  Learners are exposed to the comprehensible input, and the linguistic competence is acquired by the learners by understanding the written and spoken language input. Comprehensible input is the input that is slightly beyond than the current level of linguistic competence of a learner. Learners must be essentially provided with comprehensible input (i+1). Here i is the current level of learner’s competence in the foreign language and i+1 is i.e. an input that contains structures that are slightly above than the learner’s present level of linguistic competence. 

Thus, input hypothesis can be employed as a theoretical framework in this study, which is the role of technology in developing the oral fluency of learners of English. Learners use technology in order to develop their oral fluency and get an input by using mobile phones, tablets, audio and video tapes, social media, and software application as well. By using these gadgets learners get input in form of both speech and writing and give an output in form of development in their oral fluency and other communication skills as well. Learners understand the comprehensible input and make progress in their learning gradually. 




Research Question

The in-hand research article will aim at finding out the following research question:

1. What role technology plays in developing the oral fluency of learners?




Research Hypothesis

This study has been built on the hypothesis that technology has a positive influence on oral fluency, and by using technology learners enhance their oral fluency.

Methodology

The recent paper based on the quantitative and qualitative study as well, means mixed methodology, and data will be analyzed by conducting questionnaire, both close ended and open-ended questions would be the part of the questionnaire. The data will be collected from 200 students, 100 male students and 100 female students, aged between 16-18 years, at intermediate level from Government Emerson College Multan (for boys), and Government Degree College for Women. The data from males would be collected from Government Emerson College Multan and the data from females would be collected from Government Degree College for Women.  The respondents will be sampled through simple random sampling method.

Data Analysis

The collected data will be analyzed by the simple percentage method.

 

Data Analysis

This portion will deal with the analysis of collected data on the basis of the gender of respondents, tables and graphs related to every question of the survey questionnaire will be shown. The data analysis regarding female students of intermediate standard and its interpretation is given below:




 

Section-A Data Analysis of Female Students

Q. No 1. Do You Take the Help of Modern Technology in Learning English?

Serial No	Yes	No	Total
1	80	20	100
%age	80%	20%	100%

 

The above table shows that 80 female students out of 100 students selected the option yes for the question of using technology in English learning while 20 female students responded negatively. Therefore 80% female students were in favor of using technology for the enhancement of English language.

 


Q. No 2. If Yes, Which of the Following do You Use the Most?

S. No	Tablets and Laptops	Audio and Video Recorders	Communication technology labs	Social media	Total
1	20	20	0	60	100
%age	20%	20%	0%	60%	100%

 

The above table shows that 20 female students use tablets and laptops and audio and video recorders, 60 female students use social media and no one use communication technology labs. Therefore 20% females are in favor of using tablets, laptops, audio and video recorders mostly and 60% females are in favor of using social media the most.



Q. No 3. How Long do you Spend in Learning English Through Modern Technology?

S. No	Less than 1 hour	1-2 hours	3-4 hours	5 hours and Above	Total
1	30	50	0	20	100
%age	30%	50%	0%	20%	100%

 

The above table shows that 30 female students spend less than one hour in learning English through modern technology, and 50 females’ students spend 1-2 hours, 20 female students spend five hours or above, in learning English through modern technology. So, 30% female students spend less than one hour in learning English through modern technology, and 50% female students spend 1-2 hours, 20% female students spend five hours or above, in learning English through modern technology. No female student opted the option of 3-4 hours per day in learning English through modern technologthe




Q. No 4. Do You Think your “Oral Fluency” of English is Developing by Using Modern Technology?

Serial No	Yes	No	Total
1	90	10	100
%age	90%	10%	100%

 

The above table shows that 90 female students opted yes for, their oral fluency of English is developing through modern technology, but 10 female students opted no. Therefore 90% female students are in favor of developing their oral fluency of English through modern technology.



Q. No 5. Do you think your Pronunciation and Speaking Skills of English is Developing by using Modern Technology?

Serial No	Yes	No	Total
1	90	10	100
%age	90%	10%	100%

 

The above table shows that 90 out of 100 female students are developing their pronunciation and speaking skills of English by using modern technology, and 10 female students did not select ‘ yes’ for the question, that whether their pronunciation and speaking skills of English are developing through modern technology. Therefore 90% female students are in favor of using modern technology in order to develop their pronunciation, as well as speaking skills.



Q. No 6. Do You use Computers, Mobile Devices, Televisions, Software Applications and Social Media in Developing oral Fluency of English?

Serial No	Yes	No	Total
1	90	10	100
%age	90%	10%	100%

 

The above table shows that 90 out of 100 female students use computers, mobile devices, televisions, software applications, and social media for developing their oral fluency of English and 10 female students do not use these devices in developing their oral fluency. Sp, we can say 90% female students are in favor of modern technology like, computers, mobile devices, software applications, social media, and television in developing their oral fluency.



Q. No 7. Do You Think Modern Technology is Necessary in Developing Communication Skills in Students?

Serial No	Yes	No	Total
1	90	10	100
%age	90%	10%	100%

 

The above table shows that 90 out of 100 female students think that modern technology is necessary in developing communication skills in students, and 10 female students think that it’s not necessary in developing communication skills of students. Therefore 90% female students are in favor of using modern technology in developing their communication skills.




Q. No 8. Does Your Pronunciation Enhance by Hearing Speeches of Native Speakers Through Television, Software Application, Audio and Video Tapes?

Serial No	Yes	No	Total
1	70	30	100
%age	70%	30%	100%

 

The above table shows that 70 out of 100 female students selected option yes, their pronunciation enhances by hearing speeches of native speakers through television, software application, audio and video tapes, and 30 female students selected option no. therefore 70% female students out of 100% female students enhance their pronunciation by hearing the speeches of native speakers by using modern technology.

 


Q. No 9. Does Modern Technology Also Enhance Your Grammar, Vocabulary and Writing Skills?

Serial No	Yes	No	Total
1	90	10	100
%age	90%	10%	100%

 

The above table shows that 90 out of 100 female students selected option yes for the question, does modern technology enhance their grammar, vocabulary and writing skills, and 10 female students selected option no for this question. Therefore 90% out of 100% female students are in favor of using modern technology in order to develop their grammar, vocabulary and writing skills as well.

 


Q. No 10. While Using Modern Technology I Always Try to Improve my “Oral Fluency”.

Serial No	Yes	No	Total
1	90	10	100
%age	90%	10%	100%

 

The above table shows that 90 out of 100 female students always improve their oral fluency while using modern technology and 10 out of 100 female students selected option no, that they do not improve their oral fluency while using modern technology. Therefore 90% female students always improve their oral fluency while using modern technology.

 


Q. No 1. Do you Take the help of Modern Technology in Learning English?

Serial No	Yes	No	Total
1	90	10	100
%age	90%	10%	100%

 

The above table shows that 90 out of 100 male students take the help of modern technology and 10 out of 100 male students do not take the help of modern technology in learning English. Therefore 90% male students out of 100% male students are in favor of using modern technology.

 


Q. No 2. If Yes, Which of the Following do You use the Most?

Serial No	Tablets and Laptops	Audio and Video Recorders	Communication Technology labs	Social Media	Total
1	20	20	10	50	100
%age	20%	20%	10%	50%	100%

 

The above table shows that 20 out of 100 male students use tablets, laptops, audio and video recorders, and 10 male students prefer to use communication technology labs and 50 out of 100 male students use social media the most. Therefore 20% male students out of 100% male students use tablets, laptop, audio and video recorders, and only 10% use communication technology labs and 50% use social media.

 


Q. No 3. How Long do you Spend in Learning English Through Modern Technology?



 

Serial No	Less than 1 hour	1-2 hours	3-4 hours	5 hours and Above	Total
1	20	40	0	40	100
%age	20%	40%	0%	40%	100%

 

The above table shows that 20 out of 100 male students spend less than one hour in learning English through modern technology, and 40 out of 100 male students selected option 1-2 hours and again 40 out of 100 male students 5 hours or above time that they spend in learning English through modern technology. And no one selected option 3-4-hour time to spend in learning English through modern technology. Therefore 20% male students spend less than one hour in learning English through modern technology, 40% male students spend 1-2 hours, 0% male students spend 3-4 hours, and 4% male students spend 5 hours of above in learning English through modern technology.

 


Q. NO 4. Do you Think Your “Oral Fluency” of English is Developing by Using Modern Technology?

Serial No	Yes	No	Total
1	70	30	100
%age	70%	30%	100%

 

The above table shows that 70 out of 100 male students selected option yes that their oral fluency is developing through modern technology and 30 male students selected option no. Therefore 70% male students out of 100% male students develop their oral fluency by using modern technology.

 




 

Q. No 5. Do you think Your Pronunciation and Speaking Skills of English is Developing by Using Modern Technology?

Serial No	Yes	No	Total
1	80	20	100
%age	80%	20%	100%

 

The above table shows that 80 out of 100 male students are developing their pronunciation and speaking skills of English by using modern technology, and 20 male students did not select option ‘ yes’ for the question, that whether their pronunciation and speaking skills of English aredeveloping through modern technology. Therefore 80% male students are in favor of using modern technology in order to develop their pronunciation, as well as speaking skills.



Q. No 6. Do you Use Computers, Mobile Devices, Televisions, Software Applications and Social Media in Developing Oral Fluency of English?

Serial No	Yes	No	Total
1	100	0	100
%age	100%	0%	100%

 

In the above table,100 out of 100 means 100% male students selected option yes, for the above given question it means all the male students were agree that computers, mobiles devices, television, social media and software application are significant in developing their oral fluency.

 


Q. No 7. Do you think Modern Technology is Necessary in Developing Communication Skills in Students?

Serial No	Yes	No	Total
1	100	0	100
%age	100%	0%	100%

 

The above table shows that 100 out of 100 male students think that modern technology is necessary in developing communication skills in students, and no male students think that it’s not necessary in developing communication skills of students. Therefore 100% male students are in favor of using modern technology in developing their communication skills.



Q. No 8. Does your Pronunciation Enhance by Hearing Speeches of Native Speakers Through Television, Software Application, Audio and Video Tapes?

Serial No	Yes	No	Total
1	80	20	100
%age	80%	20%	100%

 

The above table shows that 80 out of 100 male students selected option yes, their pronunciation enhances by hearing speeches of native speakers through television, software application, audio and video tapes, and 20 male students selected option no. therefore 80% male students out of 100% male students enhance their pronunciation by hearing the speeches of native speakers by using modern technology.

 


Q. No 9. Does Modern Technology Also Enhance your Grammar, Vocabulary and Writing Skills?

Serial No	Yes	No	Total
1	90	10	100
%age	90%	10%	100%

 

The above table shows that 90 out of 100 male students selected option yes for the question, does modern technology enhance their grammar, vocabulary and writing skills, and 10 male students selected option no for this question. Therefore 90% out of 100% male students are in favor of using modern technology in order to develop their grammar, vocabulary and writing skills as well.

 


Q. No 10. While using Modern Technology I always try to Improve my “Oral Fluency”.

Serial No	Yes	No	Total
1	80	20	100
%age	80%	20%	100%

 

The above table shows that 80 out of 100 male students always improve their oral fluency while using modern technology and 20 out of 100 male students selected option no, that they do not improve their oral fluency while using modern technology. Therefore 80% male students always improve their oral fluency while using modern technology.



Section-C. Collective Analysis of Male and Female Responses

The following tables and their interpretations are according to the collective analysis of male female student’s responses:

Q. No 1. Do you Take the help of Modern Technology in Learning English?

Serial No.	Yes M         F	No M         F	Total
1	90         80	10        20	200
Total	170	30	200
%age	85%	15%	100%

 

The above table shows that 85% males and females opted yes for the above question, and 15% males and females selected option no, therefore 85% out of 100% males and females’ students agree that they take the help of modern technology in learning English.

Q. No 2. If Yes, which of the Following do You use the Most?

Serial No	Tablets and laptops M        F	Audio and video recorders M         F	Communication technology labs M            F	Social media M          F	Total
1	20        20	20         20	10          0	50           60	200
Total	40	40	10	110	200
%age	20%	20%	5%	55%	100%

 

In the above table 20% males and females use, tablets, laptops, audio, and video recorder, and only 5% use communication technology labs and 55% of them use social media for learning English.

Q. No 3. How Long do you Spend in Learning English Through Modern Technology?

Serial No	Less than 1 hour M        F	1-2 hours M         F	3-4 hours M          F	5 hours and above M          F	Total
1	20        30	40         50	0          0	40           20	200
Total	50	90	0	60	200
%age	25%	45%	0%	30%	100%

 

The above table shows that 25% male and female students use modern technology in learning English for less than 1 hour, and 45% of them use for 1-2 hours and 30% of them use for 5 hours or above.

Q. No 4. Do you think your “Oral Fluency” of English is Developing by Using Modern Technology?

Serial No.	Yes M         F	No M         F	Total
1	70         90	30        10	200
Total	160	40	200
%age	80%	20%	100%

 

80% male and female students agree that their oral fluency of English is developing by using modern technology, and 20% of them selected option no, for the above question.

 

 

Q. No 5. Do you think your Pronunciation and Speaking skills of English is Developing by using Modern Technology?

Serial No.	Yes M         F	No M         F	Total
1	80         90	20        10	200
Total	170	30	200
%age	85%	15%	100%

 

The above table shows that 85% male and female students think that their pronunciation and speaking skills of English are developing by using modern technology, and 155 do not agree with above question.

Q. No 6. Do you use computers, mobile devices, televisions, software applications and social media in developing oral fluency of English?

Serial No.	Yes M         F	No M         F	Total
1	100         90	0        10	200
Total	190	10	200
%age	95%	5%	100%

 

The above table shows that 95% students use, computers, mobile devices, television, social media, and software application for developing their oral fluency of English.

Q. No 7. Do you think Modern Technology is Necessary in Developing Communication Skills in Students?

Serial No.	Yes M         F	No M         F	Total
1	100         90	0        10	200
Total	190	10	200
%age	95%	5%	100%

 

According to the above table 95% of students think that modern technology is necessary for developing communication skills in students and only 5% disagree with above given question.

Q. No 8. Does your Pronunciation Enhance by Hearing Speeches of Native Speakers through Television, Software Application, Audio and Video Tapes?

Serial No.	Yes M         F	No M         F	Total
1	80         70	20        30	200
Total	150	50	200
%age	75%	25%	100%

 

According to the above table 75% out of 100% students agree that their pronunciation of English is enhancing by hearing the speeches of native speakers through television, audio and video tapes and through software applications. And only 25% students do not agree with above given question.

Q. No 9. Does Modern Technology Also Enhance your Grammar, Vocabulary and Writing Skills?

Serial No.	Yes M         F	No M         F	Total
1	90        90	10        10	200
Total	180	20	200
%age	90%	10%	100%

According to the above table 90% out of 100% both males and female students selected option yes for the question, does modern technology enhance their vocabulary, grammar and writing skills, and only 10% students opted ‘no’, for this question.

Q. No 10. While Using Modern Technology I Always try to Improve my “Oral Fluency”.

Serial No.	Yes M         F	No M         F	Total
1	80        90	20        10	200
Total	170	30	200
%age	85%	15%	100%

 

The above table shows that 85% out of 100% students always try to improve their oral fluency by use modern technology.

Findings and Discussion

The recent paper based on both quantitative and qualitative study, and the data is analyzed by conducting questionnaire, both close ended and open-ended questions were the part of questionnaire. This study based on the hypothesis that technology has positive influence on oral fluency of English, and learners enhance their oral fluency through modern technology, and this hypothesis is approved through data analysis. The quantitative data analysis shows that students take the help of modern technology in learning English and they use laptops, tablets, social media, computers, mobile devices, television, and software application in order to develop their oral fluency. Students think that modern technology is also necessary for developing their communication skills, grammar, vocabulary, writing skills of English as well as pronunciation. While using modern technology, learners always try to improve their oral fluency of English. 

The quantitative study and the results of open-ended questions show that students improved their speaking skills of English, mostly through social media, and by using other gadgets they watch English movies which help them in developing their speaking skills of English. They listen the lectures of native speakers, they listen English songs, and they listen interviews of English actors, for improving their oral fluency of English.

According to the results of qualitative study, students improve their speaking skills and oral fluency of English by using modern technology. And all the students made progress in developing their oral fluency of English by taking the help of modern technology. 

Future Recommendations

In this section, some future recommendations have been offered for the researchers in order to conduct their study, these are given below:

1. The recent study is on the role of modern technology in developing oral fluency of learners at intermediate level, but in future researchers can study, what role technology plays in developing oral fluency of learners at the level above or lower than intermediate, such as at matric level, at graduation level etc. 

2. Researches can study on any other skill of learners, rather than only ‘oral skill’. 

3. For this paper researcher has collected the data from two public sectors, in future the researchers can collect data from private sectors as well and can compare the results of data collected from public and private sectors.

4. In this paper only the positive influences of modern technology are studied, but other researchers can the negative influences of modern technology on the learning of learners. 

5. Recent paper collect data that based on learners who are students, but researchers can also collect data from teachers as well, in order to study what role technology plays in developing oral fluency and other skills of language.

Conclusion

In the conclusion, modern technology plays a vital role in the learning process of learners, and in developing their oral fluency of English. Modern technology not only helps learners to develop their oral fluency but also their reading, writing, speaking and communication skills. Learners who take the help of modern technology, they are more liable to make progress in their language learning skills as well. The hypothesis that modern technology has positive influence on oral fluency, as by using modern technology learners enhance their oral fluency has been proved.  

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