Investigating the Impact of Social Media on Secondary School Students’ Motivation and Engagement in English Language Learning

Abstract

Abstract: This study explores the potential of social media platforms, particularly Instagram and Twitter, to supplement traditional English language learning for secondary school students. It acknowledges the limitations of traditional methods in fostering real-world language use and seeks to investigate how social media can enhance student motivation and engagement with English outside the classroom. Employing a quantitative approach, the study surveyed 100 randomly selected male students in grades eleven and twelve from Al-Hassan Bin Hashim Post Basic School in Muscat, Oman. Participants, aged 16-17, were active users of either Instagram or Twitter. Data was collected through a questionnaire consisting of 10 closed-ended and 5 open-ended questions. The study found a positive student perception towards the utility of Instagram and Twitter for English language learning. However, students also acknowledged that social media, despite its potential, cannot replace traditional classroom instruction entirely