Arab World English Journal · 2019 · 63 citations · 0 references
Language StudiesEnglish As A Second LanguageTeachingLanguage EducationSecond Language EducationSecond Language LearningEnglish Language LearningEnglish Language TeachingLanguage LearningLanguage TeachingMotivation In Language LearningSecond Language AcquisitionAttitudes Toward Language LearningEnglish Language LearnersForeign Language InstructionLanguage Anxiety ReductionLanguage Learning AnxietyLearner AnxietyQuantitative Data CollectionSecond Language Motivation
This study aimed to explore the impact of WhatsApp on enhancing Saudi EFL students' language skills and areas. It also investigated EFL students' attitudes, motivation, and anxiety towards learning English via WhatsApp. The sample comprised 55 male and female students studying English at the College of Arts, University of Bisha, Saudi Arabia. A closed-ended questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data from the sample. The results revealed that WhatsApp has a positive impact on learning English as a foreign language with a score of 3.9 as an overall mean. Students' attitudes towards using WhatsApp for learning English scored 3.4, while the impact of WhatsApp on motivating EFL students to study English scored 3.6 in total. It was also found that WhatsApp reduced students' anxiety with a score of 3.8 as the overall mean. Based on these results, the researchers suggest that WhatsApp should be activated at all stages of English language learning and teaching.