WhatsApp: An Online Platform for University-Level English Language Education

Abstract

Technology has developed immensely and its role in the aspects of learning a language has grown bigger and bigger. Among the university level students, WhatsApp at present is getting into the frontline as one of the most widespread online social networking platforms concerning to language learning. The research work undertaken tries to understand if university level students consider WhatsApp as a significant learning platform that can develop and support their language learning skills. Moreover, , the research work focuses on the routine practices or use of WhatsApp by students. The outcome of the survey data reveals that students consider that WhatsApp may be utilized as a teaching cum learning online platform to assist them in the process of language learning. They also highlighted the necessity of imitating language courses associated with WhatsApp, integration of technology through WhatsApp for the access of class materials with a set of objectives and outcomes explicitly focused on learning language to create meaningful experiences for students. Pedagogically, the study concludes by emphasizing the efficacy and prospective role of WhatsApp in improving the capability of students with regard to learning a language at university level.

Exploring the Effect of Using WhatsApp on Saudi Female EFL Students' Idiom-Learning

“…This indicated that participants were aware of the efficiencies and affordances of WhatsApp for learning English idioms. This finding corresponds with those of prior studies (Alghamdy, 2019;Alqahtani et al, 2018;Alshammari et al, 2017;Bensalem, 2018;Çam & Can, 2019;Çetinkaya & Sütçü, 2018) that indicated that students have positive perception about the use of WhatsApp in language learning.…”

Exploring the Effect of Using WhatsApp on Saudi Female EFL Students' Idiom-Learning

“…This indicated that participants were aware of the efficiencies and affordances of WhatsApp for learning English idioms. This finding corresponds with those of prior studies (Alghamdy, 2019;Alqahtani et al, 2018;Alshammari et al, 2017;Bensalem, 2018;Çam & Can, 2019;Çetinkaya & Sütçü, 2018) that indicated that students have positive perception about the use of WhatsApp in language learning. The findings showed that, of the five given constructs, ease of use was perceived as the most important.…”

The Use of the WhatsApp Platform as an Educational Tool During the Confinement Period of the Outbreak of Covid-19

“…• The use of WhatsApp has been successful during the confinement period as a support to complete the modules and meet learning objectives. WhatsApp already formed part of the students' e-routine which concurs with the findings of [2]. The features of instant messaging and traceability helped bond a cordial collaborative community of learners.…”

“…Alqahtani et al [2] advanced that the extensive use smartphones by university students in many parts of the world shows that smartphones have become an important element of their e-routines. The smart phone was chosen as instrument.…”