Ph Vivian
April 2018
The emergence of Social Network
Sites (SNS), to some extent, has turned the English language teaching and
learning to a new chapter since language learning has expanded beyond the classroom
limit. Amongst commonly-used Social Network Sites around the world, Facebook
currently is the world leading one with 2.2 billion monthly active users (“Number
of monthly active Facebook users worldwide”, 2017). To be more specific,
Facebook is undeniably also one of the priority sites employed in English
language teaching and learning.
Facebook has long been used in
the technological era as a helpful tool to increase the interaction between
teachers and students as well as among students (e.g. Sturgeon & Walker,
2009). McLoughlin and Lee (2008) indicate that Facebook provides various
functions for communication to be carried out such as instance chat,
information sharing, integrated comment box which facilitate interactions and
negotiation for meaning. It is obvious that Facebook, in a certain degree,
increase the amount of time students interact with their instructors and peers.
This in turn unquestionably uplifts their confidence to raise their voice in
the learning activities such as speaking and writing. It is really true for my
students when they feel no pressure giving their own ideas and opinions through
social network site like Facebook. In the same vein, Derakhshan and Hasanabbasi
(2015) assert that Facebook plays an important role in increasing students’
self-confidence, and even fostering their lifelong learning.
Undoubtedly, the advantages of
using Facebook in English language teaching and learning are not limited within
the abovementioned. That is also the reason why more research is needed and how
to employ Facebook wisely inside and outside classrooms to foster language
learning should not be ignored by the academic.
REFERENCES
Derakhshan, A. & Hasanabbasi,
S. (2015). Social network for language learning. Theory and Practice in
Language Studies, 5( 5), 1090-95.
McLoughlin, C. & Lee, M. J.
W. (2008). Mapping the digital terrain: New media and social software as
catalysts for pedagogical change. Hello! Where are you in the landscape of
educational technology? Proceedings Ascilite Melbourne.
Number of monthly active Facebook
users worldwide as of 4th quarter 2017. (2017). Retrieved on April 25, 2018,
from https://www.statista.com/statistics/264810/number-of-monthly-active-facebook-users-worldwide/.
Sturgeon, C. M., & Walker, C.
(2009). Faculty on Facebook: Confirm or deny?. Paper Presented at the Annual
Instructional Technology Conference. Murfreesboro, TN.
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