Social Media Usage in Improving English Language Proficiency from the Viewpoint of Medical Students

• Main Authors: Desta MA, Workie MB, Yemer DB, Denku CY, Berhanu MS
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dove Medical Press 2021-05-01
• Series: Advances in Medical Education and Practice
• Subjects: attitude; efl; medical students; social media
• Online Access: https://www.dovepress.com/social-media-usage-in-improving-english-language-proficiency-from-the--peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-AMEP

Minwuyelet Andualem Desta,1 Melaku Bayu Workie,1 Destaw Bayabel Yemer,1 Chalachew Yenew Denku,2 Meslo Sema Berhanu3 1Department of English Language and Literature, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Amhara, Ethiopia; 2Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Amhara, Ethiopia; 3Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Amhara, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Minwuyelet Andualem Desta Po. Box-272 Tel [phone]Email [e-mail]: In the world today, many people use various communication technologies, like as computer-aided equipment, the internet, and so on. In information communication technologies, people use social media as one of the tools with which to exchange their ideas in everyday communications. Hence, the present study aimed at examining social media usage in improving English language proficiency from the viewpoint of medical students among Ethiopian public university students.Methods: A descriptive survey design was employed since the purpose of this study was to gain detail information about social media usage in improving English language proficiency from the viewpoint of medical students. Hence, the researchers intended to use a quantitative approach. This is because a quantitative methodology helps researchers calculate the results more easily and avoid the difficulties which a qualitative approach might entail.Results: The reports obtained from respondents showed that social media (SM) platforms have many advantages in improving medical learners’ English understanding in the process of EFL learning. It positively affects them in improving their level of English proficiency. Gender not only influenced the attitude of students in using social media for learning English but also improved their proficiency in the process of language learning. Even if gender differences exist in nature, significant differences in the viewpoint of male and female students regarding social media (SM) usage in enhancing their English proficiency were not observed. The majority of the respondents strongly agreed that social media use plays a dominant role in improving English proficiency.Conclusion: In the English language learning–teaching process, social media platforms have many advantages in enhancing medical students’ English proficiency in their own learning and teaching practices. Gender did not influence the attitude of students in using social media for learning English or improve their proficiency in the process of language learning.Keywords: attitude, EFL, medical students, social media