Facebook as a didactic tool in the development of English language skills

Abstract

The social network Facebook offers suitable tools to be implemented by teachers and students in educative processes. An appropriate didactic planning is required for its use. In modern times, students talk about Facebook and some other Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), tools that are used for entertainment purposes and in a few cases for educational purposes. This study is oriented to show the way in which the use of Facebook as a didactic tool can contribute to the development of English language skills. The study was carried out at Facultad Regional Multidisciplinaria FAREM-Estelí, with students of the English teaching program, during the academic year 2015. The study was carried out using a mix methods design, with predominance of the qualitative approach. The data collection techniques implemented were survey, observation, interview and document analysis. The main research results reveal that the majority of teachers and students have a Facebook profile; however, they do not use it as a didactic tool. Moreover, weaknesses regarding the use of ICT tools were found among teachers, tools that are necessary in the development of English language skills.