Chovin Awat Abdullah
Independent Researcher
Abstract
In this globalized world, language learning is not merely bound to traditional classroom learning. Social media platforms have brought about a substantial change in language learning since it is utilized by individuals worldwide. Since the benefits of social media for enhancing EFL are ignored by learners, the recent paper aims to look into how social media can be effective in learning and improving English as a foreign language (EFL) in terms of language skills, vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammatical comprehension. The data were collected through mixed methods. The quantitative data was collected through a 28-item questionnaire and analyzed by SPSS 27. A semi-structured interview was used to collect qualitative data. Fifty-one participants in Erbil filled out the online questionnaire and four participants were interviewed for the qualitative phase. The findings of the study illustrate that learners have favorable perspectives toward social media platforms in enhancing EFL in terms of language skills, vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar knowledge. The results of the paper can help teachers, curriculum creators, and course designers to include social media in their teaching to improve students’ EFL proficiency. Also, they can increase learners’ understanding of how to use social media platforms effectively to enhance EFL.
Keywords: English as a Foreign Language, Social Media, English Language Learning