Facebook as an Interactional Environment in the Foreign Language Learning Context

Abstract

Today, Facebook, as a sample of Web 2.0 and social media tool, has considerable effects on communication and interaction among individuals. Related literature also suggests that Facebook can be an educational tool in the learning and teaching contexts. Considered that the nature of foreign language learning directly relates to interactions among learners, how Facebook can be used as an interactional tool among foreign language learners should be clarified in relation to current theories and hypotheses. Thus, this paper discusses the role of Facebook as an interactional tool in a theoretical framework. For this purpose, the study first introduces the role of interaction in the foreign language teaching and learning contexts. Then, it focuses on the relationship between Facebook and interaction in the mentioned processes in the scope of theoretical background. The paper concludes that Facebook is an ideal platform for interaction in the foreign language learning and teaching contexts. Finally, the paper ends with recommendations for target groups and researchers.    

Keywords

• Foreign language learning; interaction; Facebook

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