Audiobooks as a Tool for Improving Pronunciation and Fluency: Insights from Ecuadorian EFL Pre-Service Teachers Audiolibros como una Herramienta para Mejorar la Pronunciación y Fluidez: Perspectivas de Docentes en Formación de Inglés como Lengua Extranjera en Ecuador
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Pronunciation and fluency are crucial for effective communication. This study examines the experiences of Ecuadorian English as a Foreign Language (EFL) pre-service teachers who use audiobooks to enhance their English fluency and pronunciation. As part of an assignment, 208 pre-service teachers applied audiobook-driven shadowing methods to their language study for 10 weeks. 89% of pre-service teachers view audiobooks as helpful tools to enhance their English-speaking skills. Additionally, the practice boosted their confidence and encouraged autonomous learning. The main barriers were the narrator’s speed, pronunciation issues, and managing time effectively to practice. Despite these challenges, pre-service teachers experienced fluency and pronunciation improvements. The findings highlight the educational benefits of audiobooks as supplementary tools in EFL teacher training programs. Recommendations include further experimental studies with objective measurements applied to speaking skills, as well as a greater expansion of digital resources in EFL settings
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