SmithShy_LanguageLearningandSocialMedia
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Apr 3, 2024
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Uploaded by MinisterSnowDog23
Language Learning and Social Media
Shy Smith
COMM 211 Social Media and Society
Week 3 Journal Article Analysis Dr. Jessica Samens
22 October 2023
Language Learning and Social Media
A research study group in the United Kingdom at Newcastle University conducted a research study looking into using social media for language teaching and learning. The study took a deeper look into “understanding the underlying perceptions of and attitudes towards features of social media” (Lambton-Howard et al., 2021). Social media is majorly prevalent in today’s society and while it can have many negative moments in media, social media can be widely used for positive impacts not only in our everyday lives but in our education institutions and learning as well. The purpose of Lambton-Howard, Kiaer, and Kharrufa’s study focuses on “how social media should be configured so as to be most effectively incorporated into language learning and teaching” (Lambton-Howard et al., 2021). The study researches the individual uses of social media and how does it tie into language learning amongst both learners and teachers. The researchers claim that social media can be a powerful tool to fill in the gap between language teaching and learning. The authors also aim to highlight “social media as a distinct language type, navigating appropriateness, and prioritizing authentic communication flow” (Lambton-
Howard et al., 2021). The study held two 2-hour workshops on their campus where one workshop focused on language learners ranging from undergraduates to PhD candidates and the other workshop consisted of teaching staff both new and seasoned. The language learners participated in an informal exercise where they had to use an app to organize a social event as well as a formal exercise using the same app to communicate through discussion-based context. The teachers also
participated in two 2-hour workshops that consisted of exercises comparable to the learner’s tasks. Results of the study showed that both learners and teachers typically used social media for
general use at the same rates of each group, however, when it came to using social media for language learning, the statistics for teachers seemed to dramatically change. Results showed a greater indication of learners using social media for language learning essentially resulting in social media being an informal learning experience and not widely used for teaching. This research study contributes to the way we, as a society, can effectively use social media in educational settings and environments. If both teachers and learners were collectively on the same page when using social media for educational purposes, it could become an instinctual asset to have. Many older teachers today have less experience and training when it comes to technology making it harder for teachers to use technology such as social media as a tool. The use of social media has many stigmas which make it tough for professionals to use. Studies such as these shed light on the positive impacts social media can have on education. Many times, we find ourselves constantly searching the web on our phones to look up what this and that means. When we travel to foreign places, we are constantly feeling stuck with not knowing the language. However, with the strategic use of social media apps, better and effective communication potential is at our fingertips. Many educational institutions have foreign
exchange programs and with the positive use of social media, we can fill that communication gap. Just as easy as it would be to effectively communicate socially, social media can be a huge asset in the educational setting allowing a better learning experience for language learners. “Social media is a part of our society’s everyday activity and emphasizes the sharing of resources
by which like-minded groups organize and coordinate their activities, maintain relationships, and
interpret the world” (Noor & Hendricks, 2011).
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References
Lambton-Howard, D., Kiaer, J., & Kharrufa, A. (2021). “Social media is their space”: student and teacher use and perception of features of social media in language education.
Behaviour & Information Technology
,
40
(16), 1700–1715. https://doi.org/10.1080/0144929X.2020.1774653
Noor, A. H. S., & Hendricks, J. A. (2011).
Social media : Usage and impact
. Lexington Books/Fortress Academic.