The Impact of Using Enhanced Teaching Materials on Core Skills When Teaching English as a Foreign Language

Abstract

Our study evaluated the effectiveness of several types of study materials used in addition to the textbook in teaching English as a second language to middle school-level students in Iasi, Romania. The additional classroom materials used were a combination of workbooks used for the students to practice their writing and reading skills and online video materials to practice their listening and comprehension skills. The same materials contributed to the English vocabulary enrichment of the students. The study participants were students from grades 5, 6, and 7 at Dimitrie A. Sturzda School from Iasi, Romania. The study showed that the additional study materials were effective at improving the reading, writing, and listening skills of students in grades 6 and 7 while decreasing the skill levels of students in grades 5. The study did not take into consideration other factors that may contribute to a decrease in skill levels for students in grade 5.