Breaking the Silence: Innovative Strategies to Improve English Speaking in Students
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63688/3857yf63Keywords:
gamification, digital storytelling, speaking skills, learner participation, EFL learningAbstract
This study analyzes the impact of innovative and learner-centered strategies on the development of English-speaking skills in EFL/ESL contexts. A qualitative systematic literature review was conducted following the PRISMA methodology in order to identify, evaluate, and synthesize academic evidence related to gamification, digital storytelling, and music-based learning. Searches were carried out in recognized databases, including Google Scholar, Scopus, ERIC, ScienceDirect, and SpringerLink. From 45 initially identified studies, 10 met the inclusion criteria and were selected for the final analysis. The findings indicate that innovative methodologies significantly enhance oral participation, communicative confidence, and learner motivation while reducing speaking anxiety. Gamification promotes interaction through collaborative and engaging activities, digital storytelling strengthens fluency and self-regulated learning, and music-based strategies improve pronunciation, vocabulary retention, and communicative spontaneity. The review also highlights the importance of affective factors in oral language development, emphasizing that supportive and participatory learning environments facilitate more effective communication. The study concludes that communicative and student-centered approaches contribute substantially to the improvement of speaking skills by integrating emotional engagement, interaction, and learner autonomy into English language teaching practices.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Michelle Carolina Mejía Silva, Gitsby Anagel Muñoz Illingworth, Katherine Daniela Rodriguez Calle, Alexandra Carolina Herrera Cepeda, Diana Estefania Chisag Poaquiza (Autor/a)
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