https://doi.org/10.35381/e.k.v8i16.4592
The role of social media in the oral and communicative skills of language learners
Rol de las redes sociales en las competencias oral y comunicativa de estudiantes de idiomas
Daniel Hernán Millan-Ramos
hernan.millan@espoch.edu.ec
Escuela Superior Politécnica del Chimborazo, Riobamba, Chimborazo
Ecuador
https://orcid.org/0009-0004-7673-1501
María Dolores Ávalos-Obregón
Universidad Nacional de Chimborazo, Riobamba, Chimborazo
Ecuador
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8342-7469
Luis Armando Quishpe-Hipo
Escuela Superior Politécnica del Chimborazo, Riobamba, Chimborazo
Ecuador
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8282-6831
Kely Estefania Cardozo-Cabezas
Unidad Educativa de Fuerzas Armadas Liceo Naval Quito “Comandante César Endara Peñaherrera”, Quito, Pichincha
Ecuador
Revisado: 12 de mayo 2025
Aprobación: 17 de junio 2025
Publicado: 01 de julio 2025
The objective of this research is to explore the influence of social networks on students’ oral skills in English classes. A qualitative field methodology was applied, collecting data to analyze students’ engagement with digital platforms during the first semester of the National and Foreign Languages program at the Universidad Nacional de Chimborazo. The results show that students use social networks as informal learning tools, particularly to improve pronunciation and vocabulary. Many students engage in spontaneous communication in English through digital messages and videos. However, teachers only occasionally incorporate these tools, revealing a disconnect between students’ digital habits and current teaching practices. In conclusion, social networks offer pedagogical opportunities that educators should recognize and leverage to foster meaningful development of oral language skills in English.
Descriptors: Social networks, Oral productive skill, Pronunciation, Communicative competence, TikTok. (UNESCO Thesaurus).
El objetivo de la investigación es explorar la influencia de las redes sociales en las habilidades orales de los estudiantes en clase de inglés. Se aplicó una metodología cualitativa de campo, recopilando datos para analizar el compromiso de los estudiantes con las plataformas digitales en primer semestre del programa Idiomas Nacionales y Extranjeros de la Universidad Nacional de Chimborazo. Los resultados muestran que los estudiantes utilizan las redes sociales como herramientas de aprendizaje informal, en particular para mejorar la pronunciación y el vocabulario. Muchos estudiantes entablan una comunicación espontánea en inglés a través de mensajes y vídeos digitales. Sin embargo, los profesores solo integran estas herramientas ocasionalmente, mostrando desconexión entre los hábitos de los estudiantes y las prácticas docentes. En conclusión, las redes sociales presentan oportunidades pedagógicas que los educadores deben reconocer y aprovechar, que permita fomentar un desarrollo significativo del lenguaje oral en inglés.
ITEM |
RESULT |
ANALYSIS |
Do students use social networks? |
Always |
It was observed that students have social networks installed on their devices, which they use not only for entertainment but also to watch videos and learn concepts in English. |
Do students use social network communication groups? |
Always |
It was evident that students maintained communication through social networks such as WhatsApp, Instagram inbox, and Facebook to share tasks and guidelines, often attempting to write and ask questions in English. |
How often do you feel motivated by using social networks to learn to communicate in English? |
Always |
When students engaged with topic of social networks in the context of English communication, they showed greater interest, considering these platforms an effective tool that can enhances learning when used appropriately. |
How often do teachers apply social networks for developing discussion forums? |
Sometimes |
It was evidenced that teachers occasionally requested the use of social networks to discuss the class topic. This suggest either limited teacher awareness of social networks or a lack of appropriate methodologies for including into classroom activities. |
How often do teachers uses social networks in the English teaching-learning process? |
Sometimes |
It was observed that social networks were used by teachers to clarify doubts or provide instructions. Teachers occasionally encourage students to access educational content related to class topics during their fee time via social media. |
How often do students use more than two social networks on their devices for educational purposes? |
Always |
According to the observation, students have an average of four communication-focused social networks, which they use to practice English and stay updated on assigned tasks and projects. |
Social networks, particularly platforms such as TikTok, have become powerful tools for enhancing learners' oral English skills. Their flexible and user-friendly format, combine with their alignment to learners' interests and preferences, make them highly effective for improving pronunciation, vocabulary acquisition, and listening comprehension in authentic contexts. Moreover, these digital environments offer continuous access to real-life content that reflects everyday language use. Such exposure promotes the internalization of linguistic structures and builds communicative confidence. The blend of entertainment and learning further increases learners' intrinsic motivation. In this sense, social networks represent a valuable resource in foreign language education.
Although some educators remain cautious about fully incorporating social networks into formal instruction, largely due to the limited body of academic evidence, student behavior demonstrates clear and tangible educational benefits. Learners are spontaneously acquiring vocabulary, idiomatic expressions and grammatical structures encountered on these platforms and incorporating them into their everyday communication. This trend indicates that such tools facilitate a more authentic and functional use of language, surpassing the prescriptive nature of traditional textbooks. Additional, regular exposure to real-world materials enhances pragmatic competence. Therefore, it is essential to critically and systematically reconsider the pedagogical potential of these platforms.
Considering the growing influence of digital media on foreign language exposure, it is recommended that educators guide students in using social networks responsibly, critically and with well-defined learning objectives. By fostering communicative spaces where learners can practice oral skills, reflect on their progress, and share meaningful experiences, teachers helps create more enganging and participatory environments. This pedagogical support bridges the gap between informal learning that takes place online and the curricular goals of traditional classrooms. Furthermore, such integration fosters autonomy and self-regulation, contributing to the development of more relevant and contextually grounded educational practices.
No monetary.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
To all the social actors involved in the research process.
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