Use of Digital Tools to Support Productive ESL Skills: Secondary ESL Teachers’ Insights Post COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The teaching and learning landscape in the ESL classroom have made leaps and bounds owing to the rapid development of technology. Current pedagogical practices of teachers include the inculcation of digital tools in the ESL classroom-especially post COVID-19 pandemic. While it is safe to say that teachers in the present day and age are "ICT literate", it is essential to understand the meaningful use of technology in the classroom from their point of view. On the other hand, a common challenge with students' acquiring ESL productive skills-writing and speaking is the instructional strategies employed by teachers. There is a need to assess the potential of digital tools to support productive ESL skills as it will aid the transition towards a 21st century learning environment smoother. Data for this study was collected from seven secondary ESL teachers via open-ended surveys conducted over a span of one week. The findings of this study offer an insight to the various benefits and challenges from teachers' point of views-related to preparation of ESL writing and speaking lessons as well as while conducting lessons using digital tools. The benefits clearly outweigh the challenges in using digital tools to support productive ESL skills. The findings from this study hopes to aid and convince teachers to enhance the learning experience for their students with the inculcation of digital tools in the ESL classroom.