scholarly journals The Effect of Engagement in Social Networking Application on Iranian EFL Learners’ Willingness to Communicate in English

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 165-178
Author(s):  
Shahram Alipour
Keyword(s):  
Social Networking ◽  
English Language ◽  
Study Groups ◽  
Willingness To Communicate ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Learning Context ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
The Social ◽  
Language Instructors ◽  
The Impact

Motivating EFL learners to communicate in English has been a long-lasting challenge for English language instructors.  Regardless of the different proficiency level in English, every learner is expected to be able to create even simple structures in the target language; however, the EFL learners are reluctant to communicate in English.  In fact, communicative competence and authentic use of English language are directly related to learners’ willingness to communicate. Nowadays, the social networking applications (for Smartphones or Personal Computers) have introduced potential and authentic exposure opportunity for every human in the world. Combining the social networking engagement with language learning context may provide this opportunity for learners to communicate more than before. Therefore, in order to study the impact of engagement in social networking applications on Iranian EFL Learners’ willingness to communicate in English, the present research has been initiated. The sample of the study included EFL learners (N = 21) participating in TOEFL preparation course. The experimental group of the study has joined the social networking group in Telegram to communicate in English out of the class. The pre-treatment and post-treatment survey design has been applied to compare the study groups WTC level before and after the treatment.  The findings of the study indicated the positive effect of engagement in social networking on WTC. It was concluded that there are some guidelines in order to apply social networking in English language instruction. The findings are significant and applicable for English language instructors to apply such methods.

scholarly journals Impact of Social Networking Sites on Students’ Learning English Language at Tertiary Level in Bangladesh

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 104-115
Author(s):  
A.K.M. Iftekharul Alam Chowdhury
Keyword(s):  
Social Networking ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
English Language ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Tertiary Level ◽  
Learning Platform ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Learning English

With the advancement in technology, Social Networking Sites (SNS) are being used by millions of students in Bangladesh for various purposes. People use SNS for communication, interaction' sharing posts, photos, videos; creating blogs, sending messages, and for real time conversations (Zaidieh, 2012). Students can learn their target language through SNSs as these platforms engage students more and inspire them. Moreover, the usage of SNSs minimises learners’ fear and nervousness and authority of the instructor (Gilbert, Fiske, & Lindzey, 1998; Beauvois, 1998, cited in Millis, 2011). Moreover, an opportunity of interaction for both teachers and students is ensured through authentic tasks and materials which promote constructivist learning through meaningful communication (Woo, Herrington, Agostinho, & Reeves, 2007). This study has explored the impact of SNS in learning English at tertiary level. So, it focuses on the effects of Social Networking Sites in language learning platform, developing reading, writing, listening and speaking skills and creating ease to teachers and learners in English has been examined in this study. To investigate this, I implemented quantitative research method with 120 students studying Honour’s in English Language and Literature at Public, National and Private Universities. Forty students were selected randomly from each of the university category. All the students were surveyed by using close-ended questionnaire and later descriptive statistical method was used to analyse the data. Despite having hesitation of communicating with each other, it is clearly evident that students use SNS mainly Facebook to improve their language skills.

scholarly journals How Social Support and Foreign Language Anxiety Impact Willingness to Communicate in English in an EFL Classroom

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ammara Kalsoom ◽  
Niaz Hussain Soomro ◽  
Zahid Hussain Pathan
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
English Language ◽  
Willingness To Communicate ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Language Anxiety ◽  
Medium Effect ◽  
Foreign Language Anxiety ◽  
Efl Context ◽  
The Impact

This study investigates the impact of social support and foreign language anxiety (FLA) on learners’ willingness to communicate (WTC) in English (L2) inside the classroom in an EFL context of Pakistan. The study administered adapted questionnaires on willingness to communicate (WTC), social support and foreign language anxiety (FLA) to 200 undergraduates of University of Balochistan, Quetta, Pakistan. To analyse the data, both descriptive and inferential statistics were performed in the SPSS. The findings on the social support revealed that father’s support, teachers’ support, best friends’ support, and other friends’ support exerted impact on learners’ L2 WTC. Additionally, anxiety also negatively and significantly predicted L2 WTC with a medium effect size (f2 = .26). These findings signify that provision of social support and means to minimize L2 anxiety can help L2 learners enhance their volitional readiness for L2 communication. The findings of this study have implications for EFL classroom participation in the target language and offer an insight for the policy and planning for the use of English language in an EFL context.

scholarly journals EFL Learners’ Beliefs and Practices on Informal Digital Learning of English beyond Classroom

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 198-212
Author(s):  
Arif Nugroho ◽  
Yunika Triana
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Learning Activities ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Digital Learning ◽  
Learning Context ◽  
Beliefs And Practices ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Digital Devices

ABSTRACTThe present-day English language learning is characterized by educational potentials of digital technology for informal learning context. However, research examining EFL learners’ characteristics on self-directed use of digital devices for language learning remains a paucity of evidence. Addressing this current issue, the present study aims to shed some light on English language learners’ beliefs and practices on informal digital learning of English beyond classroom. A total of 117 Indonesian EFL learners participated in this study through a 5-point Likert-scale survey and semi-structured interview. The results revealed the disparity between the EFL learners’ beliefs and practices on informal digital learning of English. These EFL learners surely believed that informal digital learning activities could significantly enhance the target language skills, but they slightly engaged in digital learning activities beyond the classroom schedule. The results of semi-structured interviews further delineated that use of native languages in their social circle relationships and limitations of the digital devices used became particular reasons for this circumstance. The results contribute to the realm of English language teaching to reach the possible synchronicity between teacher-designed in-class and out-class digital learning activities and students’ language learning styles and preferences to achieve the success of target language learning.ABSTRAKPembelajaran bahasa Inggris masa kini bercirikan potensi pendidikan teknologi digital untuk konteks pembelajaran informal. Namun, penelitian yang meneliti karakteristik pelajar EFL tentang penggunaan perangkat digital secara mandiri untuk pembelajaran bahasa masih tetap kekurangan bukti. Mengatasi masalah saat ini, penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menjelaskan keyakinan dan praktik pembelajar bahasa Inggris tentang pembelajaran digital informal bahasa Inggris di luar kelas. Sebanyak 117 pelajar EFL Indonesia berpartisipasi dalam penelitian ini melalui survei skala Likert 5 poin dan wawancara semi terstruktur. Hasilnya mengungkapkan perbedaan antara keyakinan dan praktik pelajar EFL pada pembelajaran digital informal bahasa Inggris. Pembelajar EFL ini pasti percaya bahwa kegiatan pembelajaran digital informal dapat secara signifikan meningkatkan keterampilan bahasa target, tetapi mereka sedikit terlibat dalam kegiatan pembelajaran digital di luar jadwal kelas. Hasil wawancara semi-terstruktur lebih lanjut menggambarkan bahwa penggunaan bahasa asli dari hubungan lingkaran sosial mereka dan keterbatasan perangkat digital yang digunakan menjadi alasan khusus untuk keadaan ini. Hasilnya berkontribusi pada ranah pengajaran bahasa Inggris untuk mencapai kemungkinan sinkronisitas antara kegiatan pembelajaran digital di dalam dan di luar kelas yang dirancang guru dan gaya dan preferensi belajar bahasa siswa untuk mencapai keberhasilan pembelajaran bahasa target.  

scholarly journals An Overreview of the Sociocultural Theory and Vocabulary Development

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 41
Author(s):  
Khaled Ali Mohammed Alkurtehe ◽  
Hisham Dzakiria
Keyword(s):  
English Language ◽  
Cultural Theory ◽  
Daily Life ◽  
Vocabulary Development ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Multidimensional Approach ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
The Social ◽  
Efl Students ◽  
The Impact

Vegotesky theory is a paramount for the vocabulary development with its multidimensional approach, which has the impact on the cognitive affective contextual aspects and social interaction.Socio-cultural theory(SCT) is the mental development of specific sphere human. It also concerns mediation and the different kinds of mediation tools adopted and valued by society.This paper highlighted that learning as a mediated process in social in origin and then becomes individual as a result of linguistically mediated interaction between the child and more experienced members of the society including parents, teachers, and peers. The relation of mediation of SCT and environment is to enhance vocabulary development in teaching EFL students. It also helps EFL  students to use the target language in their daily life .With the help of this theory, the students can master vocabulary and improve their language.This theory focuses on the interaction with the students and shows the social environment. It links the learners with the trainer, if a child/student gets a guidance in an appropriate way he/she can learn more and can enhance his/her capacity of learning.This study tried to look at the influence of SCT on learning and teaching vocabulary. Consequently, This study recommends the use of the SCT while teaching EFL Libyan learners to enhance English language vocabulary.

scholarly journals The Perceived Impact of Social Networking Sites and Apps on the Social Capital of Saudi Postgraduate Students: A Case Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 20
Author(s):  
Abdulelah A. Alghamdi ◽  
Margaret Plunkett
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Civic Participation ◽  
Social Trust ◽  
Political Engagement ◽  
Postgraduate Students ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Impact

With the increased use of Social Networking Sites and Apps (SNSAs) in Saudi Arabia, it is important to consider the impact of this on the social lives of tertiary students, who are heavy users of such technology. A mixed methods study exploring the effect of SNSAs use on the social capital of Saudi postgraduate students was conducted using a multidimensional construct of social capital, which included the components of life satisfaction, social trust, civic participation, and political engagement. Data were collected through surveys and interviews involving 313 male and 293 female postgraduate students from Umm Al-Qura University (UQU) in Makkah. Findings show that male and female participants perceived SNSAs use impacting all components of social capital at a moderate and mainly positive level. Correlational analysis demonstrated medium to large positive correlations among components of social capital. Gender differences were not evident in the life satisfaction and social trust components; however, females reported more involvement with SNSAs for the purposes of political engagement while males reported more use for civic participation, which is an interesting finding, in light of the norms and traditional culture of Saudi society.

scholarly journals The Effects of Visual Displays of Furniture Product Photos Through the Social Networking Site, Instagram on Consume Perception

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 11-24
Author(s):  
Dini Cinda Kirana ◽  
◽  
Achmad Syarief ◽  
Dona Saphiranti
Keyword(s):  
Social Networking ◽  
Visual Display ◽  
Design Principles ◽  
Consumer Perceptions ◽  
Social Networking Site ◽  
Creative Economy ◽  
Communication Model ◽  
Visual Appearance ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Impact

At present, the growth of Instagram as an online site is phenomenal, because of the shift from its original function as a social communication medium into a marketing platform. Furniture products used to be only available for in-store purchase, can now be easily purchased online. The present study attempted to discover the level of influence and effectiveness of the visual appearance of the furniture products photos through the social networking site, Instagram on consumer perceptions, which is measured using the EPIC (Empathy, Persuasion, Impact and Communication) model. The purpose of the study was to identify the effectiveness of the visual display of furniture product photos on the Instagram social networking site on consumer’s perceptions, and to map the use of the ideal visual display of furniture product photos for online product marketing purposes. The research used comparative analytical methods on photos of furniture products from six accounts of small creative economy entrepreneurs of similar products that are advertised through the social networking site, Instagram. The data of this study are limited in the scope of visual perception of furniture product photos uploaded through the social networking site, Instagram on consumer perceptions. The results showed that the visual display in the form of photos of furniture products through the social networking site, Instagram had an effective result on consumer perceptions. The visual display is declared effective as a media for promoting furniture products through the social networking site, Instagram based on the four dimensions of EPIC. The dimensions of Empathy and Impact are the most dominant aspects. The visual display mapping used as an advertising photo is not only influenced by the Empathy dimension and the Impact dimension, but also dominantly influenced by the associated design principles, namely, Unity and Domination. Both dimensions have a significant correlation value compared to other dimensions. Keywords: Furniture Marketing, Instagram, Consumer Perception, EPIC Model, Design Principles

scholarly journals The Impact of Mediation on EFL Learners’ Interpretation

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 197
Author(s):  
Mandana Yousefi
Keyword(s):  
English Language ◽  
Peer Mediation ◽  
Language Test ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Paired Sample ◽  
Self Confidence ◽  
Effective Role ◽  
English Language Institute ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Experimental Group

<p><em>The present study was an attempt to examine the EFL intermediate learners’ interpretation performance in translating texts from English to Persian on mediated mode vs. non-mediated one focusing on two different kinds of mediation (clip-mediated vs. peer-mediated mode). It has also investigated the participants’ attitudes toward the mediation sessions. It was conducted in an English Language Institute in Bojnourd, Iran. To this aim, a standardized 50-item Nelson English Language Test was administered to 31 participants. Following the homogenizing procedure, the number of the participants decreased to 24. Then, they were randomly divided into two equal groups (control and experimental), each consisting of 12 students. Both groups took part in interpretation classes twice a week, during which the experimental group received mediation as the treatment. The collecte</em><em>d data were analyzed by conducting ANCOVA and paired-sample t-test. </em><em>The results indicated that the EFL learners’ interpretation performance was better in mediated mode vs. non-mediated one, and peer-mediation was more effective than clip-mediation in improving their listening performance. In addition, all the participants stated </em><em>mediation had an effective role in improving their interpretation performance by reducing their anxiety and increasing their self-confidence.</em></p>

scholarly journals “How the Furby Coming is…”: Interference of First Language and Culture in Thai EFL Learners’ Paragraph Writing

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (10) ◽  
pp. 92
Author(s):  
Sakulrat Worathumrong
Keyword(s):  
English Language ◽  
First Language ◽  
Communication Strategy ◽  
Target Language ◽  
High Exposure ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Language And Culture ◽  
English Writing ◽  
Low Exposure ◽  
Analysis Models

This study investigated features of first language and cultural interference in Thai EFL learners&rsquo; English paragraph writing on popular culture. Drawing from theoretical grounds of interlanguage, language interference, and rhetorical interference, the sample of 30 English paragraphs of Thai EFL undergraduate learners was examined quantitatively and qualitatively. The English writing included 15 paragraphs from the Thai learners with high exposure to English language (TEH) group, and 15 paragraphs from those with the low exposure to English language (TEL) group. Using analysis models of metadiscourse markers and topical progressions, the findings revealed the preference of both groups in the use of interactive and interactional devices as well as SP, PP, and EPP types of topical progressions. The preference highlights the feature of oral-based, inductive, or reader-responsible writing orientation with a possibility of writing development, especially among the TEHs to reach expectation of the target language readers. The findings encourage assessing the Thai EFL learners&rsquo; writing as a process and raising frequent awareness of both language and rhetorical interferences when writing English texts. As the introductory stage during COVID-19 remote learning, writing to express learners&rsquo; interests could be used as an effective communication strategy for a positive instructor-learner relationship which assists the learners to further engage in the class in a more meaningful way.&nbsp;

scholarly journals The Students’ Attitudes towards the NESTs versus NNESTs and their Impacts on the Students’ Motivations to Learn English Language at KAU

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-35
Author(s):  
Haneen Saad Al Muabdi
Keyword(s):  
Second Language Acquisition ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
English Language ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
King Abdulaziz University ◽  
English Speaking ◽  
Native English Speaking ◽  
Students Attitudes ◽  
Native English Speaking Teachers ◽  
The Impact

Motivation is one of the crucial aspects of second language acquisition. Students’ motivation can be influenced by their teachers. The present study aims to investigate the impact of the two types of teachers on EFL learners’ motivations to learn English. These are NESTs (Native English-speaking teachers) and NNESTs (native English-speaking teachers). Hence, it examines learners’ attitudes and perceptions towards the two types of teachers. This study employed a mixed method by distributing a questionnaire contains quantitative and qualitative tools. It consists of twenty items of Likert scales and two open-ended questions. The present study subjects are 31 female students at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The results of the study demonstrate that learners have a positive attitude toward NESTs and NNESTs. Despite that, the tendency to learn with NNESTs is higher than NESTs. The findings also show that both types of teachers motivate students to learn English. Moreover, it suggests that the methodology and teachers’ personalities are more important than the teachers’ nativeness.

Creating Ongoing Online Support Communities through Social Networks to Promote Professional Learning

2013 ◽  
pp. 754-772
Author(s):  
Maria Elena Corbeil ◽  
Joseph Rene Corbeil
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Informal Learning ◽  
Professional Learning ◽  
Online Support ◽  
Graduate Courses ◽  
Professional Network ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Impact

Professionals who want to remain competitive in their fields are turning to Web 2.0 to learn the knowledge and skills they need in order to do their work more efficiently and effectively. Through a detailed description of how one instructor transformed his online graduate courses into dynamic, interactive, ongoing online learning communities that extended beyond the classroom, this chapter provides academics and practitioners a model for establishing a professional network that learners can participate in, and replicate in their workplaces for their professional development and informal learning. An overview of the role of social networking in creating professional development and informal learning opportunities for cognitive apprenticeship, knowledge brokering, and ongoing online support communities, as well as the results of a survey conducted on students’ perceptions of the impact of the social networking strategies and tools on their professional development and informal learning in and out of class will also be discussed.

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