Contributions of Digital Competencies toward the Speaking Skills in English Language Classes in Ecuadorian Elementary Schools

Abstract

Digital competences are key factors for the professional developing of teachers of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) in Ecuador. This work aims to identify the contributions of digital competences in the speaking skills of a group of elementary school children. In the research process, the sample was integrated for nine elementary school students and fifteen EFL teachers took. The methodology selected was a mixed. The research techniques used to collect data were semi-structured interviews, contextual observation, and English language pre-tests and post-tests. Results show the teacher's digital competencies evolution and its contribution to the children speaking skills. It concludes that teachers with a higher level of digital competencies can improve children speaking skills. Thus, the students speaking skills in this study changed from 5,02 overage in the pre-test to 8,64 points in the post-test. The changes in speaking skills are significatively positive.

Keywords: Digital Competencies, Speaking Skills, Education, Language, Ecuador