Facebook for ELT

 

Facebook

Who doesn't know Facebook? Facebook is a website which allows users, who sign-up for free profiles, to connect with friends, work colleagues or people they don't know, online. It allows users to share pictures, music, videos, and articles, as well as their own thoughts and opinions with however many people they like.

Facebook is very easy to use. For laptop or computer users, it is enough to only have the internet and a web browser, so Facebook can be accessed. Even smartphone users can just download the applications available in the app store and with an internet connection, Facebook can be accessed as well.

How to use/apply it in ELT? There are 2 option how to use Facebook as ELT. 

    1. Teacher can create a class Facebook page and invite students to “like” the page so that they receive announcements, current events news, and updates on class projects, etc. Students can engage with the teacher or with their friends through posting, comments and replies on the page.

  

    2.  Teacher can create a group that consist only students so that they can create some discussion             through posting, comments and replies.

 

What Facebook can do in ELT? Facebook enables you to extend your classroom in new and interesting ways. In the broadest sense it can enable communication, collaboration and network building around areas of common interest.

ADVANTAGES

The advantage for using Facebook is students interaction via Facebook can allow them to discuss course contents at any time they need. Via Facebook, a student can post questions, share information and discuss with peers when facing any difficulties during their study time or during preparation of their assignments. 

Facebook can be used to establish connections with students all around the world. Wherever you are in the globe, you can stay connected with your friends and family. It can be used by the students to communicate with other peer students. Many teens often find it interesting to chat with their friends who share similar interests. Some students even develop their language skills by chatting with a foreigner from a different country.

Unlike our elders, students don't need to read morning newspapers or switch on the television to watch news. Students can gather latest news and headlines by simply following a Facebook page. There are various news pages available from international news agencies that provides regular updates about latest news all around the globe. These pages provide instant news update from their local countries to international level. 

Facebook is a platform where students can use it to showcase their academics as well as other talents. It can be one of the ways to expose your hidden talents. For an example, students can create a Facebook page in which they post their photography skills. Or post videos of them singing and dancing, all that can gain public attention.

DISADVANTAGES

While Facebook brings us lots of benefits when it comes to information and news, the same social networking site could bring negative effects to the student's education. 

Facebook is known to be a platform that is highly addictive. It includes many features such as chatting, stories and newsfeeds all that can make a user spend more time. This kind of excessive usage could seriously affect the focus students are having on their academics.

Facebook is not completely free of vulgarity. Underage students, particularly teenagers could be exposed to such vulgarities without their parent's concern. Even though Facebook takes maximum measures  to prevent vulgarity, there are still some Facebook pages and groups which promotes violence and post adult contents. Even if a student don't go searching for it, they could be accidentally exposed.

Some students are also subjected to cyber-bullying on Facebook. The same type of racial, religious, body shaming abuses that happens in schools and communities can also take place online. More than adults, children are more often lead to these kinds of harassments. 

In the end Facebook can be effective for many language learning, especially grammar. For example, in making a post, students must pay attention to grammar. Listening can directly upload videos from any source. For Speaking students can make videos and upload them. but with that the teacher also need to observing and sorting what kind of post student may posting.