Integrating Social Networking Tools into ESL Writing Classroom

-Summary-
 
In this article, the author investigate about the good and bad effects of incorporating social networking tools into ESL writing classroom. Integrating social networking tools into ESL writing classroom can foster students way of thinking. Also, it would help students to be motivated and have the confidence to take on English especially during group discussions. Furthermore, students with lower language skills can participate in discussions with less stress in mind. However, social networking tools poses problems. Students nowadays are accustom to informal style of writing that shadows the actual writing form. Not to mention the distractions that comes along with social networking services which hinders students from concentrating on their writing.
-Experience-

 I have been an active user of social networking tools especially Facebook since the day I have registered my account. Throughout my years of using social networking tools e.g Facebook, I have come to a conclusion that it can be beneficial and also harmful. Since I started using Facebook, my command towards the English language has risen exponentially especially in my writing, When friends started to update their status, mostly quotes from the internet and bible verses, I would read and try to understand not only the meaning but also the structure of the sentence e.g grammar. Also, Facebook can be use as a medium to held discussions via groups chats. My secondary school teacher had once open a group chat for our debate team to have discussions on a topic and she took on the role of a supervisor to correct our mistakes and also add on any good info. The Facebook group chat is a convenient tool to use for discussions. Moreover, since using Facebook, It has boost my confidence to write more as I get feedback from my friends every time I post something meaningful. However, social networking tools has its downside. Facebook for example has become a distraction for most people including myself. It is inevitable that will always check our Facebook every-time an internet access is available. Hence, it becomes a distraction especially when we need to look up for info on the internet. It is time consuming when we spend the next hour on Facebook while our assignments are still on the drawing board. Therefore, good or bad is truly up to the users.

-Opinion-

I hope to encourage all younger generations to use social networking tools the right way. We must understand the true meaning of why social networking tools was created. Is it simply to connect with people around the world? Logically the answer is to connect people with other people but after that we could opt in by creating a group to discuss a meaningful topic. This is beneficial especially to students who wants to improve their writing abilities and are afraid to speak out loud during a discussion. Shy students can build their confidence by participating in an online discussion or forum to give their personal opinion by typing it online without having to voice out immediately as when having a face to face conversation. Therefore, it is better for young students to create a social network with the mindset of improving their writing and thinking abilities.