This study aimed to investigate if the online chatting used by forty EFL students improved speaking skills. Before and after chatting, the students took pre- and post-speaking tests. Then, they were assigned to chat in a group for two and three times on each topic for ten weeks. The results showed that the mean of the post-speaking test scores was higher than the mean of the pre-speaking test scores. The mean of the post-test scores, the number of sentences and the number of correct sentences produced by students increased in ten weeks respectively. From the questionnaires, it appeared that the students thought that their language skills and typing skills had improved. They had more fun learning and their self-confidence in using English had increased. Based on the results, online chatting can be a technological tool for motivating students to produce and practice language in real-time. It provides a chance to use and practice the language outside the classroom with non native or native speakers in real-life.
Keywords: Online chatting, SCMC, Speaking skills, Motivation