Attitudes of Jordanian High School Students Towards the Use of Social Media for Learning English

Abstract

Attitude can play a significant role in determining how effectively educational tools are employed. Social media has become an important part of daily life in Jordan, influencing how people interact, communicate and use information. In this study, we will assess the attitudes of Jordanian school students towards the use of social media for learning English and recognize the benefits and challenges for using social media for language learning among such students. To investigate such an objective, a random sampling method was applied to choose 200 participants from two private schools and two public schools. A questionnaire was applied on the subjects to collect the required data. The questionnaire was organized to capture both quantitative and qualitative data. In conclusion, the study shows that Jordanian students have positive attitudes towards using media as a tool for learning English, recognizing its benefits but also acknowledging its limitations. The findings indicate that students hold a generally positive attitude towards social media as a tool for enhancing their English language skills. Most students realize the potential of social media for improving their English, appreciating its diverse resources and engaging nature. They acknowledge that social media can complement traditional learning methods, though they also identify several challenges.  The study shows that there are no significant differences in attitudes between students from public and private schools in Jordan. The study ends with recommendations that educators should focus on creating high quality, engaging, and focus on interactive English materials, for social media platforms.