Integrating Social Media as a Tool for Enhancing English Language Skills: A study of University Students’ Perceptions

Abstract

The given paper will discuss the attitude of the university students on the use of a social media to develop English language skills. The results have shown that social media encourages interactive learning environment, promotes group work and builds more confidence in learners in the use of English. Issues like the lack of concentration and the use of colloquial language were however observed. The undergraduate students who represented the target population were interviewed in organized data collection on the experiences of using sites like facebook, WhatsApp, and YouTube in vocabulary development, speaking, and writing practice. The use of survey of quantitative survey design helped in collecting and analyzing the perceptions of the students. The researchers summarize that the use of social media in terms of language acquisition may supplement the in-class process and engage students to communicate in English in different contexts as well as build digital literacy, which is pivotal to understanding academic content.