Facebook and english learning student's engagement

Abstract

Today Facebook is considered as one of the most popular platforms for online social networking among youth. They spend much of their time surfing on it with different purposes. Thus, it is essential to integrate social networking tools with the education, and language learning cannot be the exception. The use of Facebook in EFL classrooms has been subject to some researches which have identified a big number of advantages related to its use. The fundamental objective of this study was to analyze to what extent the use of Facebook engages students to enhance their English. Specifically, this qualitative study examined a group of thirty four students who attend the 9th class at la Institución Educativa Técnica Comercial de Santo Tomás. The sources of data for this action research and case study investigation included a survey, a focus group and document collection inspection. Analysis of data revealed that Facebook used as a symbolic mediation increased these students’ engagement in the foreign language classes. Nowadays students find the foreign language to be meaningful and interesting to learn due to the authenticity and variety of the activities proposed to be carried out, as well as the use of the language promoted with real and social purposes more than academic ones. Working cooperatively to achieve goals was also part of this experience. Making decisions, reaching a consensus, posting the activities having in mind the deadlines and giving support to others could be mentioned as some of the benefits obtained from the group work.