Female Arab Students' Perceptions of Social Networks as an English Language Learning Environment

Autor/in	Ellili-Cherif, Maha
Titel	Female Arab Students' Perceptions of Social Networks as an English Language Learning Environment
Quelle	In: Educational Research Quarterly, 40 (2017) 4, S.62-90 (29 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext (1); PDF als Volltext kostenfreie Datei (2) Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0196-5042
Schlagwörter	Females; Arabs; Student Attitudes; English (Second Language); Second Language Learning; College Students; Mixed Methods Research; Questionnaires; Likert Scales; Social Networks; Focus Groups; Role; Language Skills; Second Language Instruction; Language Usage; Foreign Countries; Semitic Languages; Familiarity; Internet; Computer Mediated Communication; Interviews; Qatar + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Weibliches Geschlecht; Arab; Araber; Schülerverhalten; English as second language; English; Second Language; Englisch als Zweitsprache; Zweitsprachenerwerb; Collegestudent; Fragebogen; Likert-Skala; Social network; Soziales Netzwerk; Rollen; Language skill; Sprachkompetenz; Fremdsprachenunterricht; Sprachgebrauch; Ausland; Arabisch; Hebräisch; Computerkonferenz; Interviewing; Interviewtechnik; Katar
Abstract	The purpose of this research was to investigate female Arab college students' use of and perceptions about social networking sites (SNSs) as an English language learning environment. A mixed methods approach was adopted for data collection and analysis. First, a questionnaire was used to explore the extent to which participants (n = 182) were familiar with, and used SNSs in general. Using a five point likert scale (5 = Always and 1 = Rarely), the second part of the questionnaire investigated the extent to which participants used SNSs to improve their English language skills. Analysis of quantitative data indicated that participants make limited use of social networks to enhance their English skills. Subsequently, focus group interviews of 34 questionnaire respondents who accepted to be interviewed were conducted to find out the reasons why participants were reluctant to use SNSs to learn English. The interviews focused on respondents' perceptions of the role of SNSs in helping them to improve their English language skills, and their opinion on the value of incorporating SNSs in their English language courses. Qualitative data analysis helped to delineate negative factors affecting the respondents' use of these tools. Implications for the integration of SNSs in Arab higher education contexts are discussed. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	Behavioral Research Press. Grambling State University, Math Department, P.O. Box 1191, Grambling, LA 71245. Tel: 318-274-2425; Web site: http://erquarterly.org/
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2022/4/11