The Challenges of Learning English Skills and the Integration of Social Media and Video Conferencing Tools to Help ESL Learners Coping with the Challenges during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Literature Review

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the abrupt closures of all learning institutions have caused English as second language (ESL) learners to have significant difficulties learning the English language especially for speaking skills. Speaking is one of the most important skills to learn because it is the primary mode of communication around the world. However, the majority of ESL learners are still trying to improve their English speaking abilities. Since the implementation of the COVID-19 lockdowns, e-learning has been a well-known solution all over the world. Learners and educators need more time to adjust to online teaching and learning because most of them are exploring new technical innovations and strategies to be used in the classroom. As a result, this study includes a literature review on the challenges ESL learners encounter in learning speaking skills, as well as the use of social media and video conferencing tools to teach speaking skills. Lack of motivation and self-confidence, fear, hesitation, and limited vocabulary are some of the challenges faced by ESL learners. Hence, it is vital to determine the technology intervention used in teaching and developing speaking skills among these learners based on previous study. During the COVID-19 pandemic, some of the interventions in teaching speaking skills included utilizing social media and video conferencing applications like Facebook, WhatsApp, and others for online teaching and learning. Educators of English as a Second Language (ESL) might then pick the ones that would work best in their particular classroom.