Article Review: Social Networking Sites and Language Learning

Article reviewed: Social Networking Sites and Language Learning

Journal: International Journal of Virtual and Personal learning environments, July-September 2011, Vol. 2, No. 3

Author: Billy Brick,Coventry University,UK

Link: http://wwwm.coventry.ac.uk/researchnet/elphe/publications/Documents/Brick%20article_IJVPLE%202.3.pdf

The aim of the research are to know the level of accessibility of the site, to find the strength and weaknesses of the syllabus and  activities available on the site and to find out the reaction of participants to the social networking element of the site. The participants or sample of this research are seven postgraduates students from different L1 background.The study followed their interactions in the Livemocha language learning Social Networking Site( SNS ), adopting a repeated measures design and eliciting multiple samples from the same learners over a three month period from January to March 2010. The data was collected via log sheets (Appendix) and meetings in which common issues were discussed. The results showed that there is no complaint regarding the accessibility of the site and all of the participants complaint about the quality of language learning activities in the site. As for the activity, four of the participants choose to learn more than one language. Even though there is a positive feedback and learners liked the immediacy of the responses to written and spoken submissions, but at the same time were critical of the value of corrections offered by community members. For the relationship with other participants, the participant said that the relationship is good but there is an inappropriate feedback shown like cyber- flirting. 

This research does interest me as i am one of the social networking user. I think it is fun to make a full use of what we have to learn English. The social networking like Facebook also can be use as an interactive material in learning language. It is true to say that sometimes community member tend to misuse of the communication tool that we have now and prefer to use it for other purposes like for cyber-flirting. I think the sample should be bigger so that we can get more feedback from the participants and will get more ideas on how to make the SNS better for language learning. In addition, this might be done in a target group and not open to community member so that this will be easier to be controlled.If this research happened to be done in Malaysia, it will really helps the students to get a chance in practicing English language outside the classroom and at the same time giving them a chance to interact with the community members using English. The use of SNS in language learning is good but parents and teacher should filter the usage in order to avoid the misuse.

In conclusion, the use of SNS in language learning is very useful because the usage may lead to student centered learning and this will instill self responsibility in the learner's language learning.