Leveraging Social Media for Language Acquisition: Exploring How High School Students Use Facebook for English Language Learning (ELL)

This study investigates how high school students utilize Facebook to enhance their English language skills. Through interviews and content analysis, the research explores how Facebook exposes students to diverse English content, from news articles to social interactions. This exposure fosters incidental language learning, improving grammar, vocabulary, and current event awareness. Furthermore, Facebook facilitates communication skill development through casual interactions with other English speakers. However, the spread of misinformation and informal language use necessitates the development of critical thinking skills to ensure reliable information is gleaned and proper English is adopted. In conclusion, Facebook holds potential as a tool for English language learning when used strategically alongside other resources and a critical approach to information evaluation.