EFL UNIVERSITY STUDENTS’ SELF-STUDY OF ENGLISH SPEAKING SKILL ON THE LANGUAGE LEARNING APPLICATION “CAKE”

Abstract

This study investigated how English as a foreign language (EFL) students utilized the language learning Cake for English speaking practice and identified the specific features of the application that they found most beneficial. Data were collected from students’ journals in five consecutive weeks and interviews with them. The findings reveal that the students conducted their self-study with Cake on their mobile phones or laptops, engaging in activities ranging from 15 minutes to two hours per session. In their learning, the students primarily used Cake to practice listening and speaking through video-based lessons with subtitles, employing shadowing techniques and repetition until achieving accurate pronunciation as assessed by the app's feedback system. They also completed quizzes to reinforce learning. The students found the application's realistic conversational videos, review features, and lessons on everyday topics like fashion, environment, and education particularly beneficial for their English speaking learning. The study suggests that Cake effectively facilitates self-directed English speaking practice by providing accessible, engaging content and immediate feedback, empowering learners to improve their pronunciation, listening comprehension, and overall communicative competence. This research provides evidence-based insights for educators and learners seeking to integrate MALL applications like Cake into language learning contexts.