THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNING AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
Abstract
The widespread use of social media has changed the way university students communicate, access information, and interact with foreign languages. Platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Telegram provide learners with frequent exposure to English through videos, posts, comments, discussions, and other forms of digital content. This paper examines the impact of social media on English language learning among university students, focusing on its potential contribution to vocabulary development, listening comprehension, communication, learner motivation, and exposure to authentic language. The paper also considers challenges associated with social media use, including exposure to inaccurate language, distractions, informal language patterns, and excessive dependence on digital platforms. Previous research suggests that social media can create opportunities for language practice and interaction beyond the traditional classroom. However, its effectiveness depends on the quality of the content students engage with and the extent to which their social media use is connected to purposeful language-learning activities. The paper argues that social media can serve as a valuable supplementary environment for English language learning when students use it selectively, actively, and critically.
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