THE POTENTIAL OF FACEBOOK AS ESL COMMUNICATION TOOLS

The popularity and extensive use of social networking such as Facebook is a relatively recent phenomenon and researchers have begun to investigate the educational applications of this technology. Its potential use as classroom communication tool and its benefits to students have long been debated. Recently some academicians are skeptical of making full use of social networking due to its security and plagiarism issues. However, Facebook being intelligently utilize can be an incredible tool for learning. Facebook is a powerful learning tool that is not only built off of the synchronous and asynchronous technologies that has transformed learning but has also extended the reach of those communicative tools. The writer will propose the potential of Facebook as an information portal communication tool in ESL classroom. Further discussion will be on the writer’s finding as she observes two groups of Pre Degree Law students’ communication via Facebook regarding their academic paper writing subject, with the group members and the instructor. This paper will highlight how this website can provide language learners with opportunities to enhance both aspects by observing and participating in ‘Group’ discussions from two groups of Academic writing students of University Technology Mara Kedah where the target language spoken is English.