Speaking proficiency in a hybrid environment. A mixed-method study of spanish beginner learners

Resumen

Teaching elementary-level language classes in a hybrid environment has become the trend in the United States higher education system (Blake et al., 2008; Hampel & Stickler, 2015; Meskill & Anthony, 2015; Mizza & Rubio, 2020; Seaman et al., 2018) primarily due to its flexibility, individuality, with emphasis on communication and collaborative learning (Rubio, 2014). However, comparative studies of traditional and hybrid classes have produced small or statistically insignificant results regarding speaking proficiency (Blake 2008, Chenoweth et al., 2006, Scida & Jones, 2016; Thoms, 2012). Therefore, Rubio (2008) encourages researchers to go beyond contrasting and rather assess "what" we teach and "how" we teach. This longitudinal study aimed to show how speaking proficiency was developed through a mixed-methods approach by observing four sections of Elementary Spanish at a US community college during the fall and spring semesters. Through data-source triangulation, class observations, course content, questionnaires, and oral assessments were analyzed. Contrary to expectations, the hybrid modality did not have the expected results in students' speaking skills. By the end of the second semester, students were not able to reach the novice-high to intermediate-low levels expected at the end of the first year of Spanish, which could be linked to the form-focused type of instruction students received. The error analysis revealed areas that students still struggled to understand, such as article use, noun agreement in gender and number, and semantics, among others. Although these errors are common in first-year Spanish language learners, the study shows the need for systematic recycling of certain language structures for them to be fully assimilated by students. Therefore, the study generates insight into what occurs in hybrid courses that adopt a traditional language teaching approach rather than changing pedagogically to include more communicative activities.