Social Media Effect on English Language Learning Proficiency at University Level in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan

Abstract

Social media has become pervasive, impacting the social and cultural fabric of our society. It has revolutionized the way we communicate, interact and socialize. Therefore, the present study was conducted to find out the effect of social media sources on enhancement of English language learning proficiency at university level. Major objectives of the study were: to find out access of learners regarding use of social media sources for English language learning at university level across gender groups and discipline groups. To compare the views of learners regarding ranking of social media sources for English language skills and competency development at university level across gender groups and discipline groups. To determine the utilization of time regarding the use of social media sources for English language learning proficiency development across gender and discipline groups. To find out the importance regarding different social media sources on EFL learners’ language proficiency at university level across gender groups and discipline groups. To find out the effect of social media sources on enhancement of EFL learning proficiency between gender groups and discipline groups. The study was guided by null hypothesis in order to make appropriate recommendations based on findings of the study. The study was descriptive in nature that is why self-structured questionnaire was used for collection of data from the given sample of population. Population of the study was all the master level students enrolled in session 2015-16 of social sciences and pure sciences in public sector universities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and sample size of the present study was eight hundred students of four public sector universities of southern districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Data was collected from the given sample of population and then arranged, coded, analyzed, and tabulated through SPSS version 24. Statistical tools which were used for analysis of collected data were percentage, mean, standard deviation, independent sample t-test, and one way ANOVA post hoc. After the successful completion of analysis findings of the present study clearly revealed that majority of university level mature learners have access to the use various social media sources for English language learning. Similarly, so for as the raking of various social media sources are concerned the findings of the study showed that Facebook is most commonly used social media source among the university level learners of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The findings of the present study also clearly revealed that university level learners utilize most of their leisure time in use of various social media sources and it has positive effect in English language learning proficiency development at university level. Therefore, in light of the findings of this study it is recommended that this research study may be beneficial to English teachers, curriculum developers/reviewers, textbook writers/reviewers, working and perspective teachers to promote standard based education.