Facebook as a tool to promote the use of English in writing among college students

Abstract

The use of social media, such as Facebook, blog, Weblog, Flickr, Tumblr and Twitter, in and out of the classroom context has grown widely. However, we give very minimal concern on the significance of using such social sites to promote the use of English language in writing and enhance students? confidence in using the language. Hence, the purpose of this study is to investigate Facebook as a tool to encourage students of University College Shahputra to improve their written and reading abilities and simultaneously, boost up their confidence to communicate with peers virtually and in real life. In line with the purpose, the objectives of the study elicit students? perceptions in using Facebook and to promote the use of English in writing in their learning tasks. It also investigates the factors contributing to students? confidence in using the English language without much worry on grammatical rules. Twenty two UiTM students of Diploma in Art & Design are recruited from one of the classes taught at University College Shahputra Kuantan (UCSA). This study is conducted using two instruments. Firstly, by using a survey questionaire and secondly using an online interview in the Facebook close group. Data obtained from both instruments are later analysed using the quantitative approach. Findings revealed that students in this study initially became part of the Facebook community because they wanted to keep in touch with. Later, they discovered that Facebook had more effects than mere social course formal and informally, but also to write and communicate using the English language and improved their reading and understanding significantly. This six-week study showed some very positive improvements in terms of students? confidence in using the English language to write in their learning tasks.