MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING QUY NHON UNIVERSITY LE THI MY DUYEN AN INVESTIGATION INTO EFL UNIVERSITY STUDENTS’ USE OF FACEBOOK IN LEARNING ENGLISH Field: Theory and Methodology of English Language Teaching Code: 8140111 Supervisor: Dr. Ha Thanh Hai BỘ GIÁO DỤC VÀ ĐÀO TẠO TRƢỜNG ĐẠI HỌC QUY NHƠN LÊ THỊ MỸ DUYÊN NGHIÊN CỨU VỀ VIỆC SỬ DỤNG MẠNG XÃ HỘI FACEBOOK TRONG VIỆC HỌC TIẾNG ANH CỦA SINH VIÊN CHUYÊN NGÀNH TIẾNG ANH Ngành: Lý luận và phƣơng pháp dạy học bộ môn Tiếng Anh Mã số: 8140111 Ngƣời hƣớng dẫn: TS. Hà Thanh Hải i ABSTRACT This paper attempted to investigate the use of Facebook in learning English by EFL University students at Quy Nhon University. The data were collected by means of questionnaires and interviews and analysed both quantitatively and qualitatively.
The results show that most EFL University students at Quy Nhon University have used Facebook for English learning but they have not yet made use of it because of several reasons such as students’ distraction by entertainment news, no appropriate learning schedule with Facebook, bad health effect, unreliable resources of information on Facebook, unstable wifi in schools,… The findings were discussed and served as the basis to put forward some proposals for English learning via Facebook. It is hoped that the results of the research might be useful for learners and teachers of English in using Facebook for English learning and teaching. Based on the findings, suggestions were given for development of using Facebook in learning English. First, University leaders should provide students with good facilities in order to help the EFL University students in particular and all students in general learn English efficiently.
Second, free- wifi network with a strong and stable speed at any corner of campus is of necessity. Third, the lecturers should introduce some reliable English pages on Facebook to students. Four, students’ families should guide and facilitate students to get acquainted with this new English learning method. Next, students should have an attitude of self-discovery, learning, actively seeking and selecting English pages on Facebook that are appropriate to their needs and abilities.
Finally, it is recommended that the university leaders and lecturers need to create good conditions to help the EFL University students learn English through Facebook effectively. ii STATEMENT OF AUTHORSHIP I declare and confirm with my signature that this graduation paper is exclusively the result of my own work based on my research and literature published. I also declare that no part of the graduation paper has been used in another paper. Author _________________ (signature) Lê Thị Mỹ Duyên iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This thesis would not have been possible without the encouragement and whole-hearted assistance of many people.
Firstly, I wish to express my deepest gratitude to Dr. Ha Thanh Hai, my supervisor, for his valuable assistance and insights leading to the writing of this paper. He not only helps and encourages me a lot from the initial steps to end, but also provides me with useful advice on problems throughout this study. Secondly, I am greatly indebted to the lecturers of my course for their valuable suggestions.
Thirdly, I am thankful to the EFL University students at Quy Nhon University for their completion of the questionnaire and valuable information. Finally, I deeply owe my family, especially my parents whose continuous encouragement, support and love have helped me during my project. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT. i STATEMENT OF AUTHORSHIP.
iii TABLE OF CONTENTS. iv LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS. vii LIST OF TABLES. viii LIST OF FIGURES.
Aim and Objectives of the Study. Scope of the Study. Significance of the Study. Structure of the Thesis .1 “Social network” and “Facebook”.2 “Web-based learning” and Its Importance.3 English Language Self-directed Learning .4 Information Communication Technology (ICT) in English Language Teaching and Learning .2 A Review of Previous Studies Related to the Study.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY .6 Discussion of Reliability and Validity:. FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION .2 Findings of the Research .1 The EFL University students’ awareness of using Facebook to learn English .2 The ways FFL University students use Facebook and its resources.3 The advantages and disadvantages students encounter when learning English on Facebook .3 Discussion of the Findings .1 Time spent learning English via Facebook by EFL University students at Quy Nhon University .2 Opinions on Impact of Facebook on English skills Improvement 54 4.3 Opinions on the Reasons for Using Facebook in English learning 54 4.4 The Impact of Facebook on the Language Learning Motivation .5 Benefits of the current situation in using Facebook to learn English by the students .6 Limits of the current situation in using Facebook to learn English by the students. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS .2 Implications for Practical Solutions .1 Implications for the University .2 Implications for Lecturers .3 Implications for Students .3 Limitations of the Study .4 Suggestions for Further Studies. 64 APPENDIX vii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS EFL: English Foreign Language FB: Facebook ICT: Information Communication Technology S: Student SNSs: Social Networking Sites WWW: World Wide Web viii LIST OF TABLES Table No Names of Tables Page Table 3.1 The information about the participants 36 Students’ awareness of using Facebook to learn Table 4.2 Frequency of Facebook access to learn English 45 Table 4.3 The features of using Facebook of the students 45 Table 4.4 Places students access Facebook to learn English 47 Students evaluate which skills are improved when Table 4.5 47 using Facebook to learn English Table 4.6 The advantages of using Facebook to learn English 48 The disadvantages of using Facebook to learn Table 4.7 50 English ix LIST OF FIGURES Figure No Names of Figures Page The number of Facebook users in Viet Nam Figure 2.1 9 from 2016 to 2022 Figure 3.1 Quantitative data collection procedure 38 Figure 3.2 Qualitative data collection procedure 39 Figure 4.1 The necessity of using Facebook in English 41 language learnings Figure 4.2 The main purposes of accessing Facebook 43 The average time per day each student spends Figure 4.3 44 on the access Learning forms used to learn English via Figure 4.4 46 Facebook 1 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION This chapter addresses some following sections: (1) the rationale of the research, (2) the aim of the study, (3) the objectives of the study, (4) the research questions, (5) scope of the study and (6) the significance of the study.
Rationale Among the vast variety of online tools available for communication, social networking sites (SNSs) have become the most modern and attractive tools for connecting people throughout the world (Aghazamani, 2010). The first SNS was created in 1997 in the name of Sixdegree.com, and now there are hundreds of social networking sites all over the world (Boyd & Ellison, 2007). The integration of SNSs into academia transforms the way people connect and communicate with one another and create a new paradigm of learning or new literacy. Besides, it is observed that students pay more attention to social media than they do to their studies.
Therefore, it is of great importance to combine using Social Networking Sites and studying in order to create a new and helpful learning habit. Academic excellence or achievement plays an important role in an individual placement. Due to this, many people are concerned with the ways they can enhance their academic achievement. These days, with the increasing popularity of computers and interactive multimedia, teacher-centered learning will inevitably give way to a more meaningful and enjoyable learning environment.
That is the use of SNSs in learning. In Vietnam, Facebook is a social networking service launched in February 2004. It was founded by Mark Zuckerberg with his college roommates and fellow Harvard University students Eduardo Saverin, Andrew McCollum, Dustin Moskovitz and Chris Hughes (Grossman, 2010). But later, 2 this site allows users to build social networks with hundreds or even thousands of people around the world of which university students are one of the primary demographics using Facebook.
In 2012, Facebook has over one billion active users, more than half of them using Facebook on a mobile device. In 2018, the number of Facebook users in Vietnam reached 33.86 million, up from 29. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as friends, and exchange messages, including automatic notifications when they update their profile. The millions of social networking sites have transformed the thought of global village into a reality whereby billions of people communicate through SNSs.
Numerous benefits have been obtained through distant communication through the use of SNSs. The quick rise in popularity of SNSs began in the last decade partly because of their extensive usage by school and university students. According to Ellison, Steinfield & Lampe (2007), for example, a significant number (approximately 73%) of Internet- using teenagers have joined SNSs by the end of 2009, with almost half of them (38%) visiting SNSs daily. Many studies have identified its potential for English language learning (ELL), particularly in search of new strategies to overcome the deterioration in students’ achievement (Idris & Ghani, 2012).
Currently, Facebook is used by many people to connect with their friends and relatives around the world. The use of Facebook has grown so fast that it has even attracted the attention of university students. These days, in the context of globalization along with the great development of humanity and social network, Facebook and English (the global language) are two essential elements for studies, work and entertainment of people at all ages, especially they are very popular with foreign students. With its diverse and convenient features, users no longer 3 regard Facebook as merely an entertainment tool, but have used it as a tool to improve their knowledge, especially to enhance their English language.
Specifically, more and more students use Facebook as a modern, effective and interactive learning tool. However, learning English from this SNS still poses many obstacles to learners. Students have many difficulties in accumulating information, choosing knowledge from many different sources and finding an appropriate method of learning English through Facebook. Based on the actual needs, the researcher conducts the study entitled: “An investigation into EFL University students’ use of Facebook in learning English”.
Aim and Objectives of the Study 1.1 Aim The research aims to find out the use of Facebook to serve the English language study needs of the EFL university students in Binh Dinh. Thus, the researcher evaluates the use of Facebook and its resources for English learning by the students. The analysis of these can help to draw assumptions about benefits and limits when students approach Facebook to learn English. Compared with the world experiences, this can direct us to some implications for English classes as well as for self-directed learning for students of the English language.2 Objectives To achieve the aim of the study, the research focuses on the following objectives: - To investigate the EFL students’ awareness of using Facebook.
- To study how Facebook and its resources are used in learning English by students. - To find out the benefits and limits students face when approaching Facebook 4 to learn English. Research questions In order to achieve the above aim and objectives, the researcher collects data and analyzes it in order to answer the following questions: 1. What is the EFL students’ awareness of using Facebook? 2.
How is Facebook used by students to learn English? 3. What benefits and limits do students face when approaching Facebook to learn English? 1. Scope of the Study In this part, the research mentions the scope of the time, the setting and participants, the issues and the data. The research is only be carried out in the academic year 2021–2022.
The research is conducted at Quy Nhon University in Binh Dinh province with the participants of the 200 students (50 freshmen, 50 second-year students, 50 third-year students and 50 fourth-year students). Besides, the data is collected from questionnaire and interview conducted by the researcher.