The use of YouTube videos in the EFL classroom

Abstract

The purpose of this research synthesis is to identify the main effects of YouTube videos on the development and improvement of the listening skill, the vocabulary sub skill, and students’ motivation when learning English as foreign language. For this, eighteen peer-reviewed articles were analyzed considering inclusion and exclusion criteria. The articles had to be published from 2014. Also, they had to be empirical studies developed in English as foreign contexts. The results of this study demonstrated that the use of the YouTube platform as a complementary material presents advantages for English learners. The findings also showed that using YouTube within EFL classrooms motivates students to develop better their in-class activities either individually or in groups because the videos are attractive and draw their attention. In addition, it was found that applying YouTube content in EFL classes increases the students’ vocabulary sub-skill because it is very entertaining and facilitates students to remember better the learned words. Moreover, the outcomes reveled that the learners improve their listening skills when their teachers use this tool since students can observe the expressions and listen to the different accents native speakers produce while they are talking