Integrating Social Media in English Language Instruction: Views of Primary School English Language Teachers in the Manzini Region of Eswatini
Keywords:
views, integrating, social media, instructionAbstract
The study sought to establish the views of primary school English language teachers on the integration of social media in English language instruction and was based on the following research questions: What are the teachers’ views on integrating social media in English language instruction at primary school level? What are the benefits of integrating social media in English language instruction at primary school level? What are the challenges of integrating social media in English language instruction at primary school level? Having adopted the qualitative research approach with a case study research design where a sample of five (5) private schools drawn from a population of fifteen (15) private schools was randomly selected, ten (10) teachers (two from each school) were purposively selected to take part in the study. The data were collected using a semi- structured interview guide and an observation guide. The study found that integrating social media in English language instruction was beneficial to teachers and learners as it enhanced the teachers’ instruction and in this way the learners benefitted from the instruction. Social media also ensures that learners collaborate, interact, and are actively involved as they control their own learning with minimal guidance from the teachers. The challenges of integrating social media in English language instruction were that learners use social media for purposes for which they have not been instructed. Also integrating social media in instruction is complex and requires that teachers be trained on its use.
The study recommends that The Ministry of Education should provide frequent in-service training workshops for teachers so that they can be able to appropriately integrate social media in their teaching of English Language. Disciplinary measures should be clearly stated and known by teachers, parents and the learners in order to control the abuse of social media in the classroom and at home.
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