Social Networking Sites

What is your most important reason for using social networking sites?

  By using social networks sites we can stay connected to family, friends and meet new people with similar interests and goals. It connects us to the whole world and we can catch the latest news all around the world in a second. Also, everyone can express his opinion freely and share his thought and ideas with other people using social network sites. It is the easiest way to get and spread the information of anything you want. Moreover, social networks play a major role in communication and business opportunities. People with low self-esteem may make their friends through these social networking sites. We can share and learn about other people’s culture, language and their lifestyle. In addition, you can make your own business using any social network sites. Finally, the advantages of using social network are a lot I won’t be able to cover all the points now but these are what I have in my mind this moment.

Is it possible for you to use them in teaching EFL/ESL?

 Sure, since new generations are already professional using technology it will be a very helpful tool using these social networks in teaching process. It will save time giving and receiving information at rapid speeds either in a classroom or at home. For example, if I were a teacher I would use twitter or instagram with my students. I would use twitter to:

1.   Tweet about upcoming due dates or assignments. One of the simplest ways that I can use Twitter in the classroom involves setting up a feed dedicated exclusively to due dates, tests or quizzes.

2.    Tweet about the new vocabulary. I can tweet a complete sentence that contain the new word followed by its meaning. Or, contribute synonyms or antonyms or give a definition for any vocabulary or spelling words, this is a very useful way to help students learn and remember the new words by heart, and how to use it in everyday life.

3.   Summarize. I may ask the students to type a 140-character or less summary of what they have learned and perhaps pose any questions to be considered in the next class. That will improve their writing skill.

Also. I would use instagram with my students in different ways. For example I may give them homework or assignment by asking them to snap photos and write an essay about it the story of that picture. Also, I can post an image and ask them to describe it in one word this is will help them to remember the new words when they associate it with the picture.