Social Networking Tools To Teach Writing

Summary:

The article focuses on the advantages and disadvantages of teaching writing in English among students by using social networking tools. Nowadays, English becomes one of the most important international language in the world. Facebook and Twitter is widely used in Malaysia, the people especially the youth are familiar with them. Firstly, it will increase the creativity of students when teacher is teaching by social network tools. Creative thinking skill can be formed since students have more freedom to think compared to the traditional teaching method. Next, collaboration works is needed and each of them needs to take their own part in every assignment that given by the teacher.  Besides that, those who are poor in English can easily get the encouragement from their classmates and friends or followers of Facebook and Twitter. This will help them to improve and continue to write in English. Then, students also will not face the stress and tension problems. When teacher is teaching by social network tools, students don’t have to face the teacher. Hence, they don’t know the face impression and body language between them. Stress can be decreased by this way. However, this also can cause disadvantages. Vocabulary will become a big problem. Short forms are everywhere in the social networking world. They might forget the correct spelling of the words. In addition, students will easily distracted by status update at Facebook. They cannot concentrate on learning. Parents and teachers need to check student’s progress from time to time. In conclusion, students need to be more confident when writing. If one feels confident, improvement of interest in writing and writing skill will be developed.

My experience:

For me, I considered as an active Facebook user. I will try my best to access the internet to open my Facebook account wherever I go. I can easily distracted by my friend’s status update at Facebook homepage. Therefore, I don’t think teaching writing in English by using social networking tools is a good way to encourage the students to write. I believe that most of the teenagers nowadays are facing stress problems in school. Social networking tools like Facebook, Twitter, Friendster, Myspace and so on are the places for students to relax their mind. They might not willing to relate their Facebook or Twitter account to their studies.  I prefer the traditional teaching method to practice my writing skill. My school teachers using the traditional teaching method, but I still can have fun in my English classes every time. In my opinion, teaching writing skills by using social networking tools can’t put into practice.

What will I do:

Teacher is playing an important role to help the students to write. As a future English teacher, I will encourage students to write whether they are good or bad in writing. A positive comment from teacher means everything for students. Next, teacher should guide the students during the writing process. I will discuss the topic before asking students to write. Try to help students to analyze and select the important points to write an essay. Then, I will also arouse students to read. Reading can help to improve student’s writing skills by learning new words and understand the sequence of a story.  Besides that, I will ask students to write once a week. Practice makes perfect. Students can learn from their mistake. Hence, the writing skills of students can be improved.