Effects of Flipped Classroom on EFL Learners ‘Speaking Accuracy, Fluency, Lexis, and Complexity

This study investigates the impact of the flipped classroom (FC) model on the speaking proficiency of English as Foreign Language (EFL) learners, specifically focusing on accuracy, fluency, lexis, and complexity. The flipped classroom reverses traditional teaching methods by delivering instructional content outside of the classroom, thus freeing class time for active learning and interactive activities. This research was conducted with ۳۰ pre-intermediate female EFL learners at a language institute in Tehran, Iran. The participants were divided into an experimental group, which experienced the FC approach, and a control group that received traditional instruction. Over the course of eight sessions, the experimental group engaged in pre-class online activities followed by in-class discussions, role-plays, and collaborative tasks designed to enhance their speaking skills. The control group, on the other hand, followed a conventional classroom structure centered on the Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) method. Both groups were assessed through pre-tests and post-tests focusing on the four dimensions of speaking proficiency. The results, analyzed through a two-group multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), revealed that the flipped classroom had a statistically significant positive effect on speaking accuracy, fluency, and syntactic complexity, with moderate effect sizes observed. However, no significant impact was found on lexical complexity. These findings suggest that the flipped classroom can be an effective pedagogical strategy for improving certain aspects of speaking proficiency in EFL learners, particularly in contexts with limited exposure to native English speakers. This study contributes to the growing body of research on innovative teaching methods in EFL education and highlights the potential of the flipped classroom to enhance language learning outcomes. Further research is recommended to explore the long-term effects of this approach and its applicability across different language proficiency levels and educational contexts.

کلیدواژه ها:

Flipped Classroom ، EFL Learners ، Speaking Accuracy ، Fluency ، Lexis ، Complexity