Chilean EFL teachers´ perceptions towards the use of youtube and its influence on the development of the listening skill : study about teachers from high school and elementary school

Abstract

The following study aimed to analyse the perception of Chilean EFL teachers from private and public schools towards the use of YouTube as a pedagogical tool and analyse their opinions about the effectiveness of using this platform in developing the listening skill in the Chilean context. Moreover, the study proposed three areas of focus, establishing one as the preeminent pillar of interest alongside two branching aspects which are vital for the understanding of the objective. The leading area focused on analysing teachers’ perceptions regarding the use of YouTube as a pedagogical tool for promoting and enhancing the listening skill of learners. The second and third areas of focus had, on the one hand, sought to identify and examine possible challenges presented to Chilean EFL teachers by the use of YouTube as a tool for developing the listening skill of the learners, on the other hand, to identify and examine its possible benefits and contributions to enhancing the listening skill. This study was carried out through a mixed methods approach, in which 48 participants filled out a Likert scale, and from those, 10 participants were selected for a semi-structured interview. In addition, the sample of participants was taken from public and private schools in Santiago, Chile. After analysis, this piece of research has found that Chilean EFL teachers’ perceptions lean towards a positive image of YouTube as a platform when used to develop the listening skill in the classroom. Although YouTube is not considered a pedagogical tool by previous research on the topic, it has been noted that there is a potential for it to become one based on the participants' perceptions.