The Role of Social Media in Development of English
The Role of Social Media in Development of English
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Article in International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development · March 2019
DOI: 10.6007/IJARPED/v8-i1/5537
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Abstract
Social media have been used for teaching and learning for quite some time. Social media as a
learning platform making it possible for students to do self-study, exchange ideas, give
comments, and submit the assignments in order to improve their grammar knowledge and
writing ability. This study investigated to see how students perceived Social media in terms of
ease of use, usefulness, and attitude toward the use of Social media for doing the activities and
examined whether these factors were correlated. The sample consisted of 132 secondary school
students selected via random sampling technique. The data was tabulated and analyzed by SPSS
version 23 and applying descriptive statistical tools. It was found that social media plays a
significant role in development of English language writing performance at school level.
Keywords: Social Media, English Language, Writing Development, School Level Learners
INTRODUCTION
The rapid evolution of technology facilitates the birth of fast growing social media tools that are
increasingly being used by students in social and academic settings. In academia, social
networking sites are deemed as valuable in language learning as their community-centered
design supports the dissemination of authentic language, and encourage meaningful interactions
beyond the classrooms. As students are ready for technological changes in learning (Akhiar,
Mydin, & Kasuma, 2017), it is time that higher education institutions harness their potential to
better serve the students’ creative needs. At present, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are
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popular forms of SNS with a high rate of university students’ demography (Gettman & Cortijo,
2015); hence could be employed as mobile learning tools to positively impact language learning.
English is the official language of the world. However, the traditional methods of teaching English
in Jordan reduced English language learning to mechanical memorization and miserably fail to
develop language competency among the students as it depends largely on lecturing and is
mostly done in the traditional chalk-andtalk way, (Al-Jarrah et al., 2019; Gillett, 2009). These
stereotyped methods and teaching material makes the learning a monotonous activity and
creates distaste among the students by reducing them to mere passive receptors of language and
not active participants in the learning process (Sumathi, 2016). Students have little chance to use
English in communication and limited exposure to academic English, therefore, they are often
unable to fully comprehend lectures or actively participate in class discussions. Many are also
hampered in their ability to express themselves in writing, (Gilakjani & Ahmadi, 2011).
Writing is one of the four language skills that requires a special attention. It is a significant skill in
language production (Kellogg, 2008) as its role is to convey the message accurately and
effectively, and its proficiency plays a major role in communication. Writing is the most
challenging area in learning the second language (Ferris, 2011). University students are neither
knowledgeable nor skilled enough to feel confident to communicate efficiently and effectively,
using English as a foreign language. Language teaching has a number of dimensions, which
include the development of oral expression, written skills, literature, and creativity (Richards &
Rodgers, 2014). However, Kiuhara, Graham, and Hawken (2009); Al-Jarrah et al. (2019) noted
that students do not write very often and most of what they write is classroom-bound. The most
important factor in writing exercises is that students need to be personally involved in order to
make the learning experience of great value and make learning more meaningful and more
exciting. Many of us know that with practice comes perfection, especially when it comes to
writing. The more we write, the better we become as writers. Social media can be a tool where
students are encouraged to use their creativity combined with personal expression to improve
and strengthen their writing.
Technology is currently being used to make teaching and learning more engaging and stimulating.
We see more and more websites and applications such as Facebook, YouTube, twitter and email
becoming part of the teaching and learning process. Probably the most widely used social
networking site in the world, social media enables people to share and get in touch with other
people who make up their network (Selwyn, 2007). They also serve to facilitate online
communication, interrelation and cooperation. A large number of students rely on social media
as a means to get in touch with friends. Valenzuela, Park, and Kee (2009) found that freshmen
mainly used social media about an hour daily to socialize with friends. This shows what potential
social media has as a method for online learning. Ranked in the top 20 countries with the most
social media users, the social networking site is now an essential aspect of daily life. Apparently,
social media are highly likely to prove advantageous to students should it be capitalized on as
part of the learning process.
LITERATURE REVIEW
There are many studies performed about the positive and negative effects of social media on the
students' academic performances. For example, Mushtaq (2018) alleged that the use of social
media can be a good outlet to deal with academic frustrations, especially if the students are in
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contact with another student that is having the same problem. Social media lets students to get
connected with other students, which can be very useful because it will allow them to discuss
class matters via social media. Additionally, Bkeer (2009) tried to obtain students’ perceptions of
how their use of social networking sites influences their academic performances. The researchers
performed a preliminary survey of a group of Malaysian university students. It was found that
the majority of respondents agreed that social networking sites have a positive impact on their
academic performances.
Mensah, and Nizam (2016) described that social networking have a meaningful effect on the
students' academic performances. They also pointed out about the abnormal use of social media
platforms by students. The study suggested it is useful that universities and colleges in Malaysia
educate their students to use these platforms positively for educational purposes which will
ultimately result in a positive impact on their academic performance. Babbie (2015) asserted that
students more probably affected by social media. To some extent, it absolutely affects the lives
of college students counting the grades. They added that social media is attractive as it gives
college students another world to make friends, also provides a good way to release pressure. It
was also noted that an approach is required to balance the relationship between social media
and academic study. Consequently, college students should think more about the balancing of
social media and academics.
Additionally, the findings of an investigation conducted by Eke, Omekwu and Odoh (2014) among
undergraduates in Nigeria showed that there are some benefits come from using social media,
which encourages virtual meeting with co-research scholar; self-esteem and wellbeing; Research
and learning; strengthening interpersonal relationship; read and write web skills etc. It was also
noted that students use social media to communicate with friends, viewing movies, for discussing
national issues like politics, economy and religious matters, and for academic purposes. Mingle
and Adams (2015) stated that there are some students experienced improvement in their reading
skills as a consequence of participation and involving social media. Also, respondents shared
ideas, discussed and shared examination questions among themselves on social media.
Moreover, Heffner and Tara (2016) conducted a study among undergraduates at Rowan
University of the USA. The study results described that social media do not have a positive effect
on the students' academic achievements. Because the student GPA decreased as much as they
were engaged in social media. The study suggested the undergraduate students should manage
and monitor their time spent using social media such as Facebook. In another study, Mushtaq
(2018) discovered social media as a factor in the lacking of habits of reading newspaper among
students and it may cause them to lose much advantageous information consist of the
newspaper.
Furthermore, Urdan and Schoenfelder (2006) alleged that social networking is absolutely
affecting students’ effectiveness as well as their grades. Therefore, educators need to be worried
about these problems and attempt to find better ways to solve these problems. Though, framed
within an academic context, the concepts outlined here can be used to investigate the use of
communication technology not only at school, but also at home, workplace, and many other
settings, and for a diversity of different viewers like teenagers, young adults, the elderly, or
families.
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METHODOLOGY
The quantitative research design was chosen as the main and substantial method of the study.
In a quantitative method, the researcher collects, analyses and interprets different kinds of
numerical data obtained from a large population.
Participants
The respondents of the study were secondary school students Almazar, Irbid. These respondents
were randomly selected from the secondary school level. There are more than 400 students
studying in Almazar secondary school. From among them, 132 students randomly were chosen
as the subjects of quantitative data.
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Research Design
The study was descriptive in nature which attempted to make an analysis of social media role in
writing development of English language at school levels in Irbid, Jordan. The population
consisted of all students who were learning English at secondary level at school. The sample of
the study in hand comprised 132 students who were currently learning English at the secondary
level either functional or compulsory English. The researcher used self-made questionnaire as a
research instrument for collection of data, and then the collected data was statistically analyzed
by SPSS version 24 in order to find out reliable result of the study.
Objectives of the Study The following were the main objectives of the study:
1- To highlight the views of school students regarding the use of social media in writing
performance development of English language.
2- To identify the role of social media in writing performance development at school level.
Table 1: The role of social media in English language writing performance development
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The above table clearly highlights the role of social media in English language writing
development because 78 (59.09%) respondents either ‘Agreed’ or ‘Strongly Agreed’ to the
statement that social media use plays a dominant role in writing development. A sizable number
of 18(13.64%) ‘Disagreed’ and only 24 (18.18%) of the respondents remained ‘Undecided’.
Table 2: Social media use is not difficult for English learners at school level.
Scales Frequency Percentage
Strongly Disagree 10 7.58%
Disagree 12 9.09%
Undecided 15 11.36%
Agree 32 24.24%
Strongly Agree 63 47.73%
Total 132 100.00%
The data presented in table 2 indicated that out of 132 respondents 12 (9.09%) ‘Disagreed’ to
the statement that the use of social media is not difficult of English language learners at school
level in order to improve their writing performance, while a majority of 10 (7.58%) strongly
disagreed to the statement. Another 15 (11.36%) respondents stayed ‘Undecided’. A large
number of 32 (24.24%) respondents ‘Agreed’ to the statement, and high number was 63 (47.73%)
percent respondent ‘Strongly Agreed’ to the statement.
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Table 3: Students at school level use Social media for English language writing development
Scales Frequency Percentage
Strongly Disagree 15 11.36%
Disagree 13 9.85%
Undecided 17 12.88%
Agree 42 31.82%
Strongly Agree 45 34.09%
Total 132 100.00%
The data presented in table 3 highlighted that out of 132 respondents 15 (11.36%) ‘Strongly
Disagreed’ to the statement, while 13 (9.85%) respondents ‘Disagreed’ to the statement that
school level English language learners use various social media sources for English language
writing development. Another 17 (18.88%) respondents remained ‘Undecided’, while 42
(31.82%) ‘Agreed’ and another 45 (34.09%) respondents were found ‘Strongly Agreeable’ to the
statement.
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Table 4: Social Media is an easy way for development of English writing skill.
Scales Frequency Percentage
Strongly Disagree 15 11.36%
Disagree 13 9.85%
Undecided 27 20.45%
Agree 30 22.73%
Strongly Agree 47 35.61%
Total 132 100.00%
The data placed in table 4 showed that out of 132 respondents, a vast majority of 77 (58.34%)
respondents either ‘Agreed’ or ‘Strongly Agreed’ to the statement that the students do not feel
any boredom while using different social media sources for English language learning at school
level. A medium number of 27 (20.45%) respondents remained ‘Undecided’. While 13 (9.85%)
respondents showed their disagreement to the given statement.
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The researcher used questionnaire items to measure the role of social media in developing
English language.
Table 1 shows the overall mean score of perceived usefulness of social media which was at high
level (Mean = 4.00). The first highest mean score fell on item no. 1 (I make use of social media to
disseminate knowledge to my classmate, Mean = 4.35), followed by item no. 8 (The usage of
social media for research has helped improve my grades, Mean = 4.08), and item no. 3 (Social
media is a good place to check class notes or homework posted by the teacher, Mean = 4.06).
The lowest mean score was on items no. 9 (Engaging in academic forums on social media reduces
my rate of understanding, Mean = 3.69). It is interesting to see that all of the items were at high
levels.
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DISCUSSION
The results and findings of this study revealed that social media plays an important role in writing
performance development of English learners at school level like: it facilitate the English learners
to learn new words and vocabulary suitable for them in the ability of English language learning,
it is easy for English learners as compare to books reading and other text materials, and arouse
the interest of English learners towards the English language learning, and the English learners
may use social media tools for a long enough period of time without any hesitation or boredom.
Similarly, the findings of the study also confirmed with (Al-Jarrah, Talafhah, & Al-Jarrah, 2019)
that the use of social media is easy for young university level learners as compare to books, or
other text materials while going to library and get books related to vocabulary development.
However, the learners may use social media sources like Facebook, twitter, flicker, YouTube,
WhatsApp, and other so many tools of social media to improve their writing performance of
English language not only in text form but they may see the pictures of things through online
media.
Conclusion
In the current context, it is important that students keep abreast of technological developments
and are aware of English language skills, that each learner possesses these need to be harnessed
and developed further to both engage learners and improve their English language skills. Based
on the research findings, a high percentage of students use social media. After the successful of
completion of this descriptive study it was concluded that social media role is dominant in writing
performance development of English language at school level. The role of social media in English
language writing development is like the brightness of the day because social media facilitate the
English learners to learn new words and phrases and to improve their writing skills. Moreover,
Emerging technologies, especially social media, have transformed the forms and genres of
writing. Studies suggest that pedagogically sound use of social media has the potential to increase
students' motivation for writing, strengthen their awareness of audience and authorship, and
promote writing development. These affordances of social media expand opportunities for
second language learners to engage with writing in their daily lives and can enhance students'
writing development in classroom environments.
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