The Comparison of Diverse Learning Styles’ English Speaking Achievement in Learning Speaking through Podcast Media

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine how well podcast media can help students improve their English-speaking abilities while taking into account their unique learning preferences. The study uses the VARK model (Visual, Auditory, Read/Write, and Kinesthetic) to determine learning preferences and focuses on students from Universitas Riau Kepulauan's English Education Study Program. Based on their responses to the VARK questionnaire, the 14 students who took part in the study were divided into several learning styles. Over the course of several weeks, they were subsequently assigned speaking assignments that included podcast media. A speaking rubric was used to evaluate their performances, analyzing things like vocabulary, pronunciation, both material and fluency. The findings indicated that the greatest gains in speaking skills, especially in fluency and pronunciation, were made by students with auditory and multimodal learning styles. Though not as noticeable, growth was also made by kinesthetic and visual learners. The least improvement was seen by read/write learners, suggesting that podcast-based education may not be as successful with them. According to the results, podcast media can help students improve their speaking abilities, particularly when it is tailored to their personal learning preferences.