Research Information System
Türk Eğitim Değerlendirmeleri Dergisi, vol.2, pp.7-32, 2022 (Peer-Reviewed Journal)
English as a foreign language (EFL) is taught in Turkish schools from primary to high school levels. However, a significant proportion of classroom time is devoted to grammar instruction, leaving less opportunity for speaking practice and hindering learners’ ability to effectively develop their speaking skills. Considering this complication, this research explored the role of a 5-week long topic-based Virtual Speaking Club on Turkish adult EFL learners’ emotional attitudes towards speaking in English in a group of people. Participants consisted of 20 adult Turkish EFL learners across Turkey and meetings were held via online conferencing platform. The data were collected through an online open-ended questionnaire and reflection papers received before and after the study. The findings of this research indicated that after participating in the virtual topic-based speaking club, the majority of participants’ thoughts and emotional attitudes on speaking in English changed positively, self-confidence levels increased, levels of anxiety decreased, observed to become more self-reliant and confident to speak in videoconferencing platform, and improved their speaking skills. Additionally, participants had positive viewpoints regarding the idea of a Virtual Speaking Club.