The Influence of Social Media on English Language Acquisition: A Quantitative Study

Abstract

This paper tries to discuss and explore the complex influences and impacts that social media have on the acquisition of the English language, using an integrated quantitatively analytical approach. The work uses an online survey of 500 social media users involved in learning English. It has unveiled highly important insights about the way social media platforms are helping the learning of the language, in particular the aspect of vocabulary and reading ability. Such findings clearly bring out the promising role of social media in providing authentic language-using context and fostering peer interaction. The major concern is the informal language—or rather the abbreviations that spur on poor writing and can be detrimental to the culture of formal writing. The present study highlighted the double-edged role of social media, the very valuable tool for language exposure and practice on the one side and the area that has to be critically navigated, negotiated, and decreased its less-favourable impact on language learning on the other side. This really represents a delicate balance both educators and learners have to strike, hence a strategic perspective on the use of social media in language education with an aim to exploit to the maximum use of the learning tool while at the same time managing its inherent disadvantages.