“Stop, Look, Listen, And Repeat: Improving English Reading Fluency with Libratalks”

Fluency is crucial for proficient reading. While various interventions exist to address, a dearth of studies integrate audio and print materials to enhance reading fluency. This study used the web application “LibraTalks” to improve the reading fluency of selected grade 5 learners at a Public Elementary School. Employing an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design, thirty (30) students were quantitatively assessed using purposive sampling, and nine (9) participated in the qualitative phase. Data was collected using a pretest-posttest reading assessment with the Words Correct Per Minute (WCPM) tool, validated contextualized stories, the LibraTalks application, and in-depth interviews. The quantitative results showed an increase in mean reading fluency scores from 32.57 in the pretest to 64.59 in the posttest, indicating a significant improvement after the intervention. LibraTalks functionalities, including simultaneous audio-visual presentation of text, guided pronunciation, and adjustable reading pace, facilitated this improvement. Qualitative analysis revealed the primary theme: LibraTalks cultivates reading prowess, with categories such as LibraTalks facilitates the development of a fluent reader and LibraTalks fuels enthusiasm for learning. This study builds upon prior research that highlights the positive impact of audiobooks on reading fluency, such as that by Tusmagambet (2020), by providing a technical approach on how to integrate audio-print material. It is recommended to use LibraTalks as a reading intervention across different learner samples and levels, and to investigate its potential long-term effects on students’ reading attitudes. Further research should explore LibraTalks’ scalability and adaptability in various contexts, its long-term impact on students’ attitudes toward reading, and the integration of the application with diverse instructional approaches