5 Ways to Use Social Media to Connect with Your English Language Students
Social media has become an integral part of our daily lives and it can also play an important role in English language teaching. By using social media, teachers can connect with their students in new and meaningful ways, outside of the classroom. In this blog post, we will explore five ways to use social media to connect with your English language students.
Create a class social media group: Creating a social media group for your class allows students to connect with each other, share resources, and practice their language skills. Platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp are great options for this.
Use social media to share materials and resources: Social media platforms like Google Drive and Dropbox can be used to share materials and resources with students. This can include class notes, homework assignments, and additional practice materials.
Encourage student-led discussions: Social media can be used to encourage student-led discussions on a variety of topics. This can include current events, cultural topics, and language learning strategies.
Use social media to provide feedback and communicate with students: Social media can also be used to provide feedback and communicate with students. Platforms like Google Classroom, Canva, and Schoology allow teachers to assign and grade homework, give feedback, and communicate with students in one place.
Use social media to create a community: By using social media, teachers can create a community where students can share their experiences, ask questions, and receive support. This can include creating a class blog or starting a Twitter chat to encourage interaction and engagement.
In conclusion, social media can be a valuable tool for connecting with your English language students. By creating a class social media group, sharing materials and resources, encouraging student-led discussions, providing feedback and communicating with students, and creating a community, teachers can use social media to enhance the language learning experience and build a strong relationship with their students.
It's important to keep in mind that social media also has potential risks, such as online harassment and cyberbullying, so it's crucial to set clear guidelines and expectations for students' online behaviour and to monitor and address any issues that may arise.
