Iranian EFL Learners' Attitudes Toward Language Learning Through Social Media During the Covid-19 Pandemic

TLDR: In this article, the authors explored Iranian English as a foreign language learners' attitudes and perceptions toward learning a language by means of social media during the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Abstract: The current research aimed at exploring Iranian English as a foreign language (EFL) learners’ attitudes and perceptions toward learning a language by means of social media during the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. To do so, 850 participants were selected voluntarily based on inclusion criteria from 1000 language learners enrolling in the general English courses at some specific institutions and under some tutors. To collect the intended data, a researcher-made questionnaire, devised based on the available literature to scrutinize their attitude using 5-point Likert scale items, was administered by means of social media to the participants. Out of the collected questionnaires, 850 were included for the analysis in this research. The results revealed that EFL learners consider social media as a significant element of their learning a foreign language, especially throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. The findings of the present research can pave the way for the inclusion of social media as an indispensable instrument of nurturing collaboration and communication among learners even after the pandemic eases. Keywords: EFL learners, social media, the covid-19 pandemic, attitudes and perceptions, language learning DOI: 10.7176/NMMC/96-03 Publication date: May 31 st 2021