THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON LANGUAGE ACQUISITION

ABSTRACT

This article examines the impact of social media on language acquisition. It analyzes how social media, and online platform contribute to enhancing learners’ skills. Based on research findings, the article highlights the importance of social media in creating a linguistic environment for language learning.

Keywords: social media, language acquisition, vocabulary enhancement, pronunciation

In the modern era of globalization, the importance of learning languages has increased significantly. Language acts as a bridge for effective communication, and gaining proficiency in a language can promote mutual understanding and strengthen bonds between different countries and cultures. Moreover, the exchange of culture and history through artistic works and literature has captured the attention of modern youth, igniting their interest. To meet these growing interests, there are various methods of language learning available.

Nowadays language learning is not limited to traditional classroom methods but can also be achieved through social media platforms. This shift is primarily due to the rapid growth of social media users. Currently, more than half of the world’s population actively interacts on social media platforms, making them a significant part of daily life for most people around the globe. [1]

Social media has become an effective tool for learning. Among active users, many turn to social media for specific purposes, including language learning. As noted by Regan (2015) and other researchers, social media has proven to be a valuable tool in language education by providing students with opportunities to engage in real-life communication. This helps them develop practical language skills in a more interactive and engaging way. Participation in social media enables students to improve language proficiency through practical application. This idea aligns with the notion that social media, especially platforms like Facebook, Instagram*, and Twitter, contribute to language learning by encouraging active participation and understanding of context, which makes the learning process more aligned with modern educational approaches.

One of the main advantages of using social media for language learning is that it exposes learners to authentic language use, including slang, idioms, and expressions that are often not found in textbooks. This enriches the learner’s understanding and fluency. For example, YouTube offers many channels in English that help learners grasp language nuances, remember proper pronunciation, and acquire vocabulary and idioms commonly used in everyday life. These resources are fast, convenient, effective, and most importantly, free. Moreover, platforms like Instagram and Facebook provide educational accounts that offer grammar tips and exercises in an easy-to-understand and engaging format. These visual tools help learners grasp grammatical rules and apply them in practice. [3]

Short-form videos on social media platforms, such as TikTok or Instagram, focused on language learning, increase students’ interest and motivation. These platforms often present new words, language structures, and phrases used in real-life situations in an engaging and brief format, making the learning process more enjoyable and accessible. The short video format is particularly effective in retaining attention, as many people today have a short attention span and prefer not to engage in long learning sessions or lengthy videos. Language learners share their achievements, which motivates them and helps them gain inspiration from observing others’ progress. This form of social learning allows students to learn from each other and develop their language skills. Some TikTok accounts offer daily challenges, such as “Word of the day” or “Pronunciation challenge” for English learners. Users can participate in these challenges, leave comments with correct answers, and share their progress with others. This approach makes learning more interactive and active.

On social media, people openly express their thoughts and exchange opinions, which gives language learners the opportunity to learn words and phrases used in real-life conversations. For example, on platforms like Facebook, Instagram*, and Twitter, users write comments on various topics, ask questions, or respond to them. These topics are often related to everyday life and require the use of language structures such as expressing opinions, agreeing, disagreeing, proposing, and accepting proposals. This helps learners see how words and phrases are applied in specific contexts. By participating in discussions on social media, language learners can apply their theoretical knowledge in practice. On Instagram, users can write posts related to language learning, and others can leave comments using new words and expressions. On Twitter, users write short comments, which helps them improve their skills in writing concise texts. Some users may ask interesting questions and answer them, reinforcing the vocabulary they have learned. Responding to the question “What is your favorite book?” can serve as a useful exercise for consolidating vocabulary. Thus, by engaging in social media, language learners expand their vocabulary and improve their ability to use language correctly. Social media platforms provide opportunities to connect with different cultures and linguistic styles, further enhancing communication skills.

To better understand the impact of social media on language acquisition, a survey was conducted among 150 students at Karaganda Buketov University. The survey aimed to assess students’ usage of social media platforms for language learning, specifically focusing on the enhancement of English language skills. The survey consisted of multiple-choice questions and open-ended responses, designed to explore how students engage with social media content and which platforms they find most effective.

The results revealed that 75% of respondents use social media platforms to improve their English language skills. Of those users, the majority (60%) specifically mentioned TikTok and YouTube as their preferred platforms for language learning. Participants highlighted that they watch educational videos on these platforms to improve various aspects of their language skills. The most common skills they aimed to enhance were listening with 40%, 33.3% of respondents stating that they regularly watch content to expanding their vocabulary and 15.7% for improving speaking skills. (Diagram 1)

Diagram 1. The most common skills aimed to enhance

Respondents noted that the engaging and interactive nature of these platforms—such as TikTok’s short videos and YouTube’s diverse content—makes learning more accessible and enjoyable. Some students also pointed out the benefits of seeing native speakers in real-life contexts, which helps them better understand natural language use and cultural nuances. The findings indicate that platforms like TikTok and YouTube are instrumental in enhancing the practicality and appeal of language learning for students.

In conclusion, social media plays a significant role in modern language acquisition, providing learners with practical, engaging, and accessible resources for improving language skills. By exposing learners to everyday language use, including slang, idioms, and colloquial expressions, social media bridges the gap between textbook learning and real-world communication. The interactive nature of these platforms motivates learners and fosters a sense of community, making language learning more dynamic and relevant. Based on these findings, social media proves to be a valuable tool in enhancing language skills and broadening cultural understanding in today’s globalized world.

^*Деятельность социальных сетей Instagram и Facebook, принадлежащих компании Meta Platforms Inc., признана экстремистской и запрещена на территории Российской Федерации.

References:

1. Statista. (2023, January). Number of social media users worldwide from 2017 to 2023. Statista. https://www.statista.com/statistics/278414/number-of-worldwide-social-network-users/
2. Regan, K. (2015). http://www.socialmediatoday.com/social-networks/kadie-regan/201508-10/10-amazing-social-media-growth-stats-2015.
3. Bailey, D., & Lee, A. R. (2020). http://tesol-international-journal.com/112/volume-15-issue-2-2020/