TEACHING SPEAKING USING TED TALKS EDUCATION: EFL STUDENTS’ PERCEPTIONS
Abstrak
This study explores the perceptions of EFL students regarding the use of TED Talks Education to develop their speaking skills. Conducted at one of the universities in Bogor, Indonesia, the research involved seven fourth-semester students from the English Education Department. A qualitative descriptive method was used, utilizing both a close-ended questionnaire and semi-structured interviews to gather data. The results indicate that students generally view TED Talks Education as a beneficial supplementary resource for language learning. They reported improvements in vocabulary acquisition, pronunciation accuracy, non-verbal communication awareness, and motivation. Students also appreciated the authentic input and inspiring delivery styles of TED speakers, which made learning more engaging and relatable. However, some limitations were noted, such as difficulties in understanding fast-paced speech and unfamiliar accents, and a lack of two-way interaction which affected speaking confidence. Despite these challenges, students found TED Talks Education helpful in building foundational speaking skills. The study concludes that TED Talks Education can serve as an effective tool in EFL classrooms when combined with interactive activities and regular practice.