Improving English Speech Skills in the College Classroom through the Use of Videotaping, Self-Monitoring, and Reflective Journal Writing

The study was designed to investigate the effects of self-monitoring, actualized by videotaping, and reflective journal writing on college students’ English speech skills. 42 EFL students who majored in English in a university were recruited to participate in this study. The participants were randomly assigned to either a self-monitoring or a control group. The researcher videotaped students’ monthly English speeches. Only the students in the self-monitoring group were asked to review their videotaped speeches. The videotaping, self-monitoring, and reflective journal writing helped students reduce communication apprehension and enhance English speech performance.