Pre-service Language Teachers’ Use of Social Networking Sites for Language Learning: A Quantitative Investigation

Year 2019, Volume: 5 Issue: 3, 423 - 439, 26.11.2019

Osman Solmaz

https://doi.org/10.32601/ejal.651394

Cited By: 5

Abstract

This study examined pre-service
language teachers’ attitudes towards social networking site (SNS) use for
language learning, their SNS practices for improving their target languages,
and the relationship between them. 279 English and German language teacher
candidates participated in the surveys designed for the present study. The
statistical analyses of the data revealed that pre-service language teachers
had positive perceptions towards SNS use for the purpose of language
development and they took advantage of SNSs to improve their target languages.
It was also found that variables such as participants’ departments, years of
study, and self-reported SNS literacies significantly affected their attitudes
towards SNS use and their SNS practices. Finally, the quantitative data obtained
confirmed a significant correlation between teacher candidates’ attitudes and
their SNS practices for language learning in general and for particular skills.
The results are discussed within the context of relevant scholarship, and the
study is concluded with recommendations for future research.

Keywords

social networking sites, pre-service teachers, language learning, attitudes, digital literacies

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