Enhancing Oral Fluency with the Describing Picture Strategy in Chilean Higher Education
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Abstract
This action research centered on features of oral fluency among Chilean higher education students, focusing on the ‘describing picture strategy’ innovation. Set in the context of the Advanced English II course, the study determines the effects of the strategy in boosting oral fluency. The intervention of this investigation was enhanced by integrating technological tools such as a projector and a computer, which provided a dynamic and interactive learning environment and contributed to positive outcomes in speech rate and repairs. However, the results also highlighted other indicators, such as hesitation, where participants showed similar results. While this research points out the strategy potential in this specific Chilean context, it also emphasizes the challenges of generalizing the findings due to its unique cultural, technological, and pedagogical particularities. This study wraps up with the recommendation of adopting a holistic approach to fluency development; it also suggests further research, especially in exploring the long-term effect of the strategy and its adaptability to different educational settings.
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