Creative Applications of Social Networking for the Language Learning Class

By:
Sarah E. Pasfield-Neofitou
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Much research to date has reported the opportunities for language learning that computer mediated communication can provide. However, Social Networking Sites (SNSs) such as Bebo have additional advantages for students and teachers that have been under-explored. Firstly, SNSs can provide an excellent way to develop student-teacher and student-student relationships outside the classroom. This paper reports on the design and implementation of a social networking project in a large first-year university Japanese language unit. Secondly, in an era where students can easily download hit TV shows and pop songs in the target language, students are often better versed in the popular media of the target culture than their teachers. SNSs allow students to share their interests with their classmates, and teachers to tap into this resource.


Keywords: Social Networking, SNS, Bebo, Japanese, Language Learning, CALL, Computer Assisted Language Learning, Computer Mediated Communication, CMC, Blog, Blogging
Stream: Pedagogies and Teaching Practices
Presentation Type: 30 minute Paper Presentation in English
Paper: Creative Applications of Social Networking for the Language Learning Class

Sarah E. Pasfield-Neofitou

Assistant Lecturer / PhD student, Japanese Department, School of Languages Cultures and Linguistics, Faculty of Arts, Monash University
Melbourne, Vic, Australia

Sarah Pasfield-Neofitou is a PhD student at Monash University, with a BA (Hons) in Linguistics and Japanese. She is currently working as assistant coordinator of Japanese under an assistantship program. Her main research interests are computer mediated communication and applied linguistics, after completing her honours thesis on language learners' informal use of bilingual intercultural chat.

Ref: LS7P0099