This research presents the results of the development of speaking skills in a multimedia language lab (SmartClass system), which have been learned in this process: (1) input record and its analysis, (2) activities in a multimedia lab (speaking, grammar, vocabulary exercises) and (3) output record and its analysis. Student recordings have been analysed as (i) self-evaluation (students listen to their own recordings and give feedback themselves), (ii) peer-feedback (students give feedback to one another), and (iii) feedback from the teacher.
A modified scale for the school leaving examination was used as an evaluation tool during this research. It demonstrates how a multimedia language lab can be used for free speaking development using student-driven learning.
It was conducted among 70 Czech secondary school students, divided into three groups of 12-14, aged 15-19, over the period of almost three months. From the teacher's point of view, there was visible improvement in the students' free speaking skills, most of the students saw a huge improvement in their own speaking skills, at least in some of the analysed areas (content, grammar and lexical competencies, pronunciation).
In addition, this research describes one tool which could be used for the development of free speaking skills.