autonomous, lifelong learners.
22
SNs therefore are a promising tool for FL education in their capacity to be used by learners as FL practice.
Teachers may use one or more than one SNs as a media. It depends on the needs and goal of learning. From various kinds of SNs such as Facebook, MySpace,
Twitter, Path, YouTube, and so on, the writer chose Facebook because it provides a group application which lets the teachers use the internal elements to manipulate
groups for FL class.
E. Facebook as Computer-Assisted Language Learning CALL
In this research, the writer will talk about Social Networking Sites SNs especially Facebook which is included in Web-based learning programs. According
to Stelter‟s definition in Suthiwartnarueput and Wasanasomsithi‟s article, “Facebook is a one of the most popular social networking sites which allow users to post any
information, chat with friends or other users, and collaborate within the system ”.
23
It is also a technological tool which can nurture the student-teacher relationship by
creating positive learning experiences for both parties stated Mazer, Murphy and Simonds.
24
So, Facebook is one of social networking sites that can be used by everyone all over the world to post any updates or information, share photos, chat or
argue with other users, and also to be a media for learning some subjects or many things. Students not only have greater chances to collaborate with many people in the
world but also can learn English at the same time if they use Facebook as a tool for their study by spending time browsing profiles, meeting new people, and exploring
relationships using the English Language. Students use Facebook primarily for „social searching.‟ That is, students use
Facebook to learn more about a person they have met. It is also used for social and
22
Kara McBride, “Social-Networking Sites in Foreign Language Classes: Opportunities for Re-creation
”, www.slu.edu,
Internet, available
from http:www.slu.edu~kmcbrid8McBride09_SNS.pdf, accessed 3o September 2014, p. 35.
23
Suthiwartnarueput and Wasanasomsithi, op.cit., p. 195.
24
Eren, op.cit., p. 289.
emotional support and as a resource to find information. According to Rita, Facebook can have a positive influence in improving learners‟ literacy.
25
She explains in her paper that learners can comment and get a good feedback from others. The
helpfulness comment and peer reviewing can be a strong expert input for learners. Facebook can be a meaningful environment for learning English for language
learners. There are many applications that are available to use. Facebook is not only for fun, but also can be
a useful site to improve students‟ language skill.
F. Teaching Writing Through Facebook
Teachers can use Facebook as a media to motivate students to write. Facebook is popular among students that they will find it is fun to practice their writing on this
site. Learners may not realize that they are learning through their everyday routine which is many of them using Facebook as a media to write their informal writing.
The teacher can ask the students to do writing task as homework since there is not enough time to practice writing in the classroom.
In Facebook, there is an application named Facebook group. It can be used by teachers to share materials to the students in a whole class.
„FB groups‟ provides a space where ideas are posted in view of all, to be open to criticism as well as praise.
26
Higher order thinking skills are needed in organizing, synthesizing and analyzing the ideas whether by individual, peers, or groups in constructing new knowledge. Then,
„FB groups‟ provides ample opportunities for students to practice and improve their writing skills.
27
Students can learn many new sentences from reading their friends‟ comment and they feel obliged to respond them which it can enhance their writing
skill.
25
Rita Inderawati Rudy, “From Classroom to Peer Comment in Facebook: Bridging to Establish Learners‟ Literacy”,International conference “ICT for language learning”,Sriwijaya
University Palembang: Pixel, 4th edition , 2011, P. 1.
26
Melor Md. Yunus and Hadi Salehi, “The Effectiveness of Facebook Groups on Teaching and Improving Writing: Students‟ Perceptions”, International Journal of Education and Information
Technologies Issue 1, 6 2012, p. 90
27
Ibid.
