Enhancing English Speaking in ESL Classrooms Through ICT-Integrated CLT: A Mixed Methods Approach

In the evolving landscape of English as a Second Language (ESL) education, speaking remains one of the most challenging skills to master, particularly in Bengali-medium secondary schools in Jhargram District, West Bengal. This study explores the impact of integrating Information and Communication Technology (ICT) within the framework of Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) to enhance students’ speaking proficiency.1,2,3 Employing a mixed-methods, quasi-experimental design, and the research contrasts traditional teaching methods with ICT-enhanced CLT approaches across control and experimental groups.4,5 Quantitative results from pre- and post-tests reveal significant improvements in speaking performance among students in the experimental group. Qualitative feedback from students, teachers, and parents supports these findings, highlighting increased engagement, reduced speaking anxiety, and improved fluency and communicative competence.6,7,8,9 The study underscores the pedagogical potential of ICT tools in fostering more dynamic, interactive, and learner-centered ESL classrooms while also identifying infrastructural and training barriers that must be addressed for broader implementation.