Utilizing English Pop Songs with Karaoke Application among Young Adults to Enhance Connected Speech Production

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of English pop songs with karaoke application in an EFL classroom. It aimed to figure out whether using English songs with karaoke application could enhance connected speech production and what the attitudes towards such a technique are. Data collected during the study was through an identical pre-test and post-test, a questionnaire, and an interview. There were 46 first-year students from a renowned university in Southern Thailand who participated in this study. The researcher divided the students into two groups. The control group was taught without the use of English songs or karaoke application, whereas the experimental group with the same instructor, was required to listen to and sing nine English pop songs. Additionally, they were encouraged to use a karaoke application on their smartphones to keep practicing the English songs they had sung. After analyzing the post-test mean scores of both groups by the independent samples t-test, the results showed that their connected speech production after using songs with karaoke application improved significantly (p<.05). The study concluded from the qualitative data that the students accepted this technique as a meaningful activity because it promoted pronunciation, listening and speaking skills, and vocabulary in English. Furthermore, learning English through songs and karaoke application were claimed as a fun and relaxed activity; the students could learn English anywhere and at any time.