Chronicling Indonesian EFL students’ engagement in podcast-based speaking activities in online learning milieu: A selfdetermination theory perspective

Abstract

The abrupt shift of teaching and learning to the online mode due to the Covid19 outbreak has inevitably called for technology integration to better engage students in online instruction. This call includes the possibility to enact podcast in an English as a foreign language (EFL) class, particularly in speaking. However, despite the increasing number of studies on the benefits of podcasting for language teaching and learning, little attention has been paid to EFL students’ engagement in self-created podcast at the micro-level of instruction. Thus, this study aimed to fill this void by enquiring how students engage in podcast-based speaking activities and what drives their engagement. It involved 23 EFL students at a public university in West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. The data were gleaned from learning portfolios, oral reflections, and students’ written narratives in sixteen sessions. The framework of engagement and self-determination theory were employed to carry out thematic analysis. The findings evince that, in general, the students disclosed positive behavioral, cognitive, and emotional engagement in a series of podcast based-speaking activities. More autonomy 336Khotimah, Cahyono & Batunan: Student engagement in podcast-based speaking activities The JALT CALL Journal vol. 18 no.3 and competence-supportive learning environment and unbalanced relatednesssupportive learning environment were found to be the contributing factors of students’ engagement. In addition to teachers’ and students’ factors, parents, families, and students’ friends beyond the classroom appeared to be other social factors which might affect students’ engagement. This study suggests three recommendations for improving podcast-based speaking classrooms in EFL practices. Some possible research topics for extended investigation are also suggested.