Impact of Personal Response System (PRS) on Iranian EFL Learners’ Performance, Class Communication and Comfort Level

Subject Areas :

Samad Oliaei ¹ , Mostafa Zamanian ² , Samad Mirza Suzani ³ , Shahram Afraz ⁴

1 - Department of English Language, Qeshm Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qeshm, Iran
2 - Department of English Language, Shiraz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, Iran
3 - Department of English, Marvdasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Marvdasht, Iran
4 - Department of English Language, Qeshm Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qeshm, Iran

Received: 2021-06-10 Accepted : 2021-12-13 Published : 2022-04-01

Keywords: Technology, Personal Response System (PRS), Class Communication, Comfort Level, English Language Performance,

Abstract :

The current study aimed at investigating the impact of Personal Response System (PRS) on Iranian EFL learners’ English language performance, class communication, and comfort level. To this purpose, a mixed methods design was used. The participants comprised 60 male-female Iranian grade eight junior students studying at Bahonar secondary school, Kazeroon, Iran. They were selected through convenient sampling method from two intact classes and divided into two experimental and control groups. The needed data was collected using the following instruments: Oxford Placement Test (OPT), Preliminary English Test (PET), Observation Checklist, and PRS. The two groups of the participants attended twelve English class sessions of the high school once a week. The only difference between the two groups was that during the class sessions, the experimental group attended PRS. Data analysis was conducted through descriptive statistics, independent samples t-tests and qualitative content analysis of the observation data. The results showed that PRS had a statistically significant impact on English language performance, class communication, and comfort level of Iranian EFL learners. Accordingly, EFL teachers are recommended to use this tool in an attempt to enhance EFL learners' general English language performance.

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