Investigating the Effects of ICT-Based Interactive Foreign Language Teaching to Primary School Students

Abstract

The integration of ICT in foreign language instruction at primary school level has emerged as a significant component of contemporary educational methodologies. This study aims to examine the impact of ICT-based interactive foreign language instruction on the academic performance and attitudes of fourth-grade students towards foreign language courses in Kazakhstan's primary schools. The study involved 66 students and utilized a control group pretest-posttest experimental design. The experimental group participated in foreign language lessons utilizing the interactive electronic textbook "English for Fun. Play & Learn" and the ICT-based Dyned Software Program for 12 weeks. The control group received foreign language instruction using the traditional teaching method for the same duration. The 'Foreign Language Academic Achievement Test' and the 'Scale of Attitude towards Foreign Language Lesson' served as instruments for data collection. The T-test method was employed to analyze the pre-test, post-test, and retention scores of students across the groups. The findings of the study revealed that students in the experimental group, who participated in ICT-based interactive foreign language education, exhibited superior academic performance and more favorable attitudes towards the foreign language course than those in the control group.