Students’ Attitudes towards the Use of YouTube for Practicing Listening Outside Classrooms

Abstract

As listening takes its position in the process of language teaching and learning, practicing this skill inside and outside classrooms becomes essential. Although YouTube is one of the prevalent platforms studied for during-class-time listening practices, the findings regarding learners’ reactions towards its use after schools seem to be insufficient. The purpose of this study was to examine students’ attitudes towards the use of YouTube to practice their listening skills outside classrooms. The data collection period lasted for ten weeks, with 114 learners from the Listening 1 course at the International University as participants. The research employed a mixed method, quantitatively analyzing the viewpoints of the students through a survey and qualitatively examining their answers in a private interview. The results revealed positive attitudes towards the use of YouTube for additional listening practice beyond class time. However, the teacher’s role in such exercises was also highlighted. This paper serves as a signal for further experimental research in the associated field.