Abstract:
In the present technology era, a new trend of using social media or social networking sites (SNSs) has been developed. Social media has a lot to offer when it comes to education in general and second language acquisition (SLA) in particular. This study aimed at investigating the impact of Telegram, as an available social network, on learning L2 vocabulary by Iranian EFL beginners. To achieve this aim, a quasi-experimental research design was used. Thirty one Iranian students, aged 10-14, were selected through the convenience sampling method. The teacher taught English vocabulary to the participants in two ways: for four weeks by using Telegram and for another four weeks through the traditional face-to-face classroom instruction. Comparison of the scores obtained from words taught through Telegram and the scores of the traditionally-taught lexical items gave rise to the conclusion that learning vocabulary through the social network was more effective than the traditional approach. This study could help the teachers and material developers to consider incorporation of technology and common applications in language classes for the purpose of L2 vocabulary acquisition.
Machine summary:
The Impact of Employing Telegram App on Iranian EFL Beginners’ Vocabulary Teaching and Learning Hossein Heidari Tabrizi*1, Nareges Onvani2 1Assistant Professor, English Department, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Isfahan, Iran 2 MA, English Department, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Isfahan, Iran Received: 2017/04/14 Accepted: 2017/11/06 Abstract: In the present technology era, a new trend of using social media or social networking sites (SNSs) has been developed.
Comparison of the scores obtained from words taught through Telegram and the scores of the traditionally-taught lexical items gave rise to the conclusion that learning vocabulary through the social network was more effective than the traditional approach.
Some studies have shown that online environment can be an appropriate device to help learning different language skills, increase students’ motivation, confidence, and attitudes towards learning English that can lead to successful application of CALL (Kabilan, 2010; Vandewaetere {View the image of this page} Desmet, 2009).
On the other hand, students who were not skilled in ICT became anxious about the use of computers, had lower expectations from educational technology, and they did not believe in the benefits of e-learning (Vrana, Garyfallos, Zafiropoulos, {View the image of this page} Pascha-loudis, 2005).
The study by Mashhadi Heidar and Kaviani (2016) also confirmed that learning English through the use of Telegram can have unique technological and pedagogical advantages for Iranian EFL learners and could have a positive effect on the development of EFL learners’ vocabulary gain.