Effectiveness of ICT in attaining the Learning Outcomes on speaking skills

Abstract

Experts say that kids should begin to learn a foreign language from a young age; the 
younger the better. ―A child is born with the ability to learn any language in the world,‖ 
explains Caryn Antonini, creator of Early Lingo. Here, in bilingual scenario, pupils find difficult 
in speaking English as it is a language of foreign land, which in due course emerged as the 
inevitable language of this land for acquiring knowledge and employment. Learning Outcomes 
prescribed by NCERT for class VII includes various L. Os on speaking skills. There is fear factor 
among the children obstructing them from speaking in English. A study is carried out to find the 
impact of using ICT for developing speaking skills of students studying through their native 
language (Tamil Medium) along with students learning through English Medium. The 
performances of the students are evaluated by considering the following parameters viz. 
Vocabulary, sentence formation, relevance and fluency. The evaluation was conducted at the 
start and end of the project. Each parameter has 5 rating scale. Poor, fair, Good, Very good and 
Excellent.   
It is observed that the there is least difference in speaking skill of Tamil Medium 
students with that of English Medium Students. Though there is vast gap in exposure of English 
is concern, English medium students had normally an upper edge over Tamil medium students in 
exposure to English. But using ICT in enhancing the speaking skills, filled the gap, aroused the 
curiosity to speak in English and showed ample improvement in speaking skill of Tamil Medium 
Students. ICT helps in attaining Learning Outcomes on speaking skills