The Use of Ome-TV Application as a technological medium to Practice English Speaking Skills

English Language Education Department, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, Jalan Brawijaya, Yogyakarta, Indonesia 55183

^* Corresponding author: suryanto@umy.ac.id

Abstract

In this modern moment, a plethora of applications are available to students seeking to enhance their English-speaking proficiency. One such platform is Ome-TV, which facilitates students' engagement with individuals from various regions around the English-speaking world. The objectives of this study were to investigate the benefits of utilizing the Ome-TV program as a tool for students to enhance their English-speaking abilities. Additionally, the study attempted to uncover any limitations associated with the use of the Ome-TV application for students' English-speaking practice. The present study employed a qualitative approach utilizing a descriptive qualitative design, with a sample size of six English Language Education Department (ELED) students who served as participants. The researchers employed interviews as a method for data collection. The findings revealed that the benefits of utilizing the Ome-TV application for English Language Education Department (ELED) students' English oral proficiency include becoming effective media for practicing English speaking skills, providing a supportive and entertaining environment for language exposure, meeting mutually respectful fellows to speak English with, providing interactive pronunciation drills in real-time, enhancing lexical proficiency, and receiving a substantial amount of input on grammatical knowledge. Meanwhile, the limitations of utilizing the Ome-TV application for English Language Education Department (ELED) students' English oral proficiency consist of inappropriate use of English as a formal language, substantial use of unfavorable language, and utilizing diverse ethnic accents.