Adi Kasuma, Shaidatul Akma (2016) An informal Facebook group for English language interaction : a study of Malaysian university students' perceptions, experiences and behaviours. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

This study looks at a group of Malaysian university students’ perceptions, experiences and behaviours when presented with an informal, participatory Facebook interaction group for English language practice. Three methods of data collection, namely questionnaire, LMT100 Facebook interaction group, and semi-structured interview were employed in stages.

The findings show a discrepancy between the participants’ perceptions of using Facebook for English language learning (ELL), and their experiences and behaviours when presented with the interaction group. Only a quarter of the participants used the group actively by initiating interaction threads, and communicating with each other. A huge majority acted passively by making their participation visible just once or repeatedly through the means of likes and short comments. The rest of the members were silent readers who never made their involvement visible over the period of six weeks.

The students showed higher participation rate when presented with three topics; entertainment-based, grammar quizzes, and university-related inquiries. This was discussed as students’ selective interests and preferences in learning. The types of online content suitable for English language learning was also addressed. More passive interviewees reported small improvements in their communicative competence from the interaction activity. The active interviewees however only felt a boost in their confidence to use English publicly rather than experience enhanced English language ability.

The discrepancy between the students’ perceptions and behaviours are discussed from three levels of sociocultural influences which are personal, institutional, and societal. The students’ prior English language learning experience within an education system that privileges examinations may have influenced their (non)participation in the LMT100 group. The interviewees also indicated the existence of sentiments in racial, political, and religious issues, which may have influenced their learning experience at the university.

The findings indicate that the informal, unstructured English language interaction platform on Facebook as having great potentials, although not tremendously successful in this study. Several implications are presented as strategies that may assist the integration of Facebook for English language learning in the future.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Subjects:	L Education > LC Special aspects of education
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Facebook (Electronic resource) --Study and teaching -- Malaysia, Educational technology -- Malaysia, Internet in education -- Malaysia, English language -- Study and teaching -- Computer-assisted instruction, English language -- Study and teaching -- Malaysia, English language -- Study and teaching -- Malay speakers
Official Date:	23 September 2016
Dates:	Date Event 23 September 2016 Submitted
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Centre for Education Studies
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Wray, David
Sponsors:	Kementerian Pendidikan Tinggi ; Universiti Sains Malaysia
Extent:	xvi, 513 leaves : illustrations, charts (chiefly colour).
Language:	eng

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