Volume 18, No. 5, 2021
The Use Of Social Media For English Language Learning: An Exploratory Study Of EFL & Media Study University Students
Dr.Saima Waheed , Dr. Zafar Iqbal Bhatti , Aasma Nijabat , Rafia Razaq
Abstract
The research depicts the concept that how social media has affected the ways of learning in the time of the pandemic around the globe. It also presents the idea that how this area of communication has become convenient, easy to handle and large source for learning. With learning, it has also played an important role in terms of the process of teaching. In the present scenario, it is to be noticed that the sites for social networking not only had great and deep influence on the structure of the society and the interaction and communication among the societies; but it also affected and altered the ways of learning in education sector. Learning of English language can be considered in particular. In this regard, the social media platforms have produced and created a kingdom of digital environment in the present time. It has observed that social media networking is now a global phenomenon. It is a global shift in the current time for grabbing knowledge with special refence to ELT. So, the present research aims to reach the various social media platforms for extracting the linguistic knowledge from the point of view of the university students, with special reference to ELT and Media studies perspective during the COVID-19 pandemic. The current examination study was directed at the degree of BS English Language and Media study. The example for testing involved 166 university students at University of Management and Technology, Lahore. To figure out the aftermaths of various web-based entertainment stages and person to person communication areas on having contribution of learning of English language in the year 2020 when everything got disorganized because of the pandemic. In this study, survey questionnaire technique was administered to find the impact of various social media platforms on learning English language and media studies in the year of 2020. This helps to highlight the possible suggestions, outcomes and recommendations for future to improve e-learning and virtual learning of English language as well as media studies. The findings of the present investigation of examination contributed and helped in the space of virtual learning of English language during the time span of pandemic. The eventual outcomes affirmed that the utilization of online entertainment is critical, significant and positive for learning. It had a great impact on English language learning as the learners could learn and enhance their skills like reading, writing, listening and speaking. The variation in lexical knowledge, use of grammar and enhancement in communication skills by interacting socially on various platforms. The study helps to find number of implications for the benefit of the learners as the implications that are pedagogical with special reference to ELT and Media studies perspective. Number of pedagogical variations and reformations are proposed and suggested to make out better ways for teaching and learning at the same time. Another significant pedagogical implication is to create such training sessions that are beneficial for the learners and the instructors for the development of e-learning and e-teaching of English language. This would enhance the knowledge and skills for using social media applications and it would be a better way to instruct the use of technology in the modern era. This research contributes to provides perceptions for the development and construction of such policies that can help to assist the social media platforms for imparting language learning knowledge in an integrated way. This is as an instruction for the use of technology to learn whether in the context of English language learning and teaching or any other special context. Particularly in the time frame of pandemic, this should be also in focus that how the institutions develop and bring advancement in technology and the applications. A model should be presented to improve and enhance English language learning ways and processes. The model should be put forward as a guideline for all the ones who belong to education sector.
Pages: 2302-2316
Keywords: Social Media; English Language Learning; University Students.