The Effect of Using Social Networks on Developing EFL Learners' Pragmatic Competence through Speaking Accuracy and Fluency

Azad, M., Alipour, M., & Talebi, P. (2018)

Abstract:

The current study aimed at exploring the effects of using social networks on developing EFL learners’ pragmatic competence through speaking accuracy and fluency. For this purpose, 60 EFL learners were selected based on their scores on the Oxford Placement Test and were randomly assigned into one experimental and one control group each with 30 participants. The experimental group used the Telegram application to get the special instruction on pragmatics through speaking, while the control group received the conventional instruction on pragmatics through speaking. The results of two Mann-Whitney U tests revealed that the experimental group significantly outperformed the control group in speaking accuracy and fluency. Therefore, the first and the second null hypotheses were rejected. Also, the result of the Independent Sample T-test showed that there was no statistically significant difference between the pragmatic competence of male and female learners who had been exposed to social networks. Therefore, the third null hypothesis was confirmed. The findings of the current study have pedagogical implications for teachers, learners, and educators and highlight the need for strategic investment.