MINISTRY OF JUSTICE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING
HANOI LAW UNIVERSITY

ROLES OF SOCIAL NETWORKS IN ENGLISH
LANGUAGE LEARNING PROCESS TOWARDS FIRST-

YEAR ENGLISH MAJORED STUDENTS AT HANOI
LAW UNIVERSITY

GRADUATION PAPER

Hanoi - 2023

MINISTRY OF JUSTICE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING
HANOI LAW UNIVERSITY

NGUYEN MINH NGOC
443017

ROLES OF SOCIAL NETWORKS IN ENGLISH
LANGUAGE LEARNING PROCESS TOWARDS FIRST-

YEAR ENGLISH MAJORED STUDENTS AT HANOI
LAW UNIVERSITY

SUPERVISOR
Pham Thi Hanh, M.A.

Hanoi - 2023

DECLARATIONS

I hereby state that I, Nguyen Minh Ngoc, 443017, being a candidate for the degree
of Bachelor of Arts accept the requirements of the University relating to the
retention and use ofBachelor’s Graduation Paper deposited in the library.

In terms of these conditions, I agree that the origin of my paper deposited in the
library should be accessible for the purposes of study and research, in accordance
with the normal conditions established by the librarian for the care, loan or
reproduction of the paper.

Supervisor Student

Pham Thi Hanh Nguyen Minh Ngoc

April 4” , 2023

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This research work would not have been finished without the assistance of
persons to whom I am extremely grateful.

First and foremost, I would want to convey my heartfelt thanks to my
supervisor, Pham Thi Hanh, for her unwavering support of my studies and research,
as well as her patience, inspiration, enthusiasm, and vast knowledge. Her advice
was invaluable to me during the research and writing of this thesis.

My deep appreciation goes to all the teachers and staff members at the
Faculty of Legal Foreign Language at Hanoi Law University for their hard work

and dedication. I would like to extend my special thanks to all 120 first-year English
major students who took part in the survey and the interview, which enabled me to
obtain more accurate findings. Without their valuable opinion and ideas, the study
would not have been accomplished

Besides, I owe my family their continuous support. Their kindness and
patience have enabled me to overcome what appears to be an overwhelming
undertaking at times.

Thank you also to all of my friends, who have always encouraged me to do
the work and have been with me throughout the thesis writing process.

Last but not least, I would like to give my final thanks to myself for working
hard and trying my best to complete my graduation thesis. Hope this thesis will be
very successful.

1H

ABSTRACTS
In today's 4.0 technology era, social networks are more than just a
communication tool; they are also useful strategies for use in educational
environments. Notably, social networking sites have a considerable influence on
students' attitudes and outcomes during the learning process. The purpose of this
graduation thesis is to investigate foreign language learners’ opinions of utilizing
social media to study English, as well as to identify the challenges students confront
when using social media in their learning process. Appropriate solutions was
presented in order to assist English major students at Hanoi Law University in
improving their usage of social media. In terms of objectives, the author hopes to
raise students' knowledge of the relevance and advantages of social networking
sites, as well as the obstacles of utilizing them to study English, and to provide

appropriate solutions to these problems, so assisting students in overcoming
difficulties. These goals was be clearly addressed in this thesis, which would
employ a variety of approaches such as prior research, questionnaires, and
interviews to achieve a complete study.

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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1. History of social network sites
Figure 2. Students’ favorite social networking sites
Figure 3. Students’ frequency of social networks use per day
Figure 4. Participants’ frequency of using social networks to learn
English
Figure 5. Students’ perceptions toward the important role in learning
English process
Figure 6. Student's assessment of the application of using social
networks to study English at Hanoi Law University

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1. Rating levels of the impact in English learning process
Table 2. Participants’ perceptions toward the benefits of using SNS to
learn language.
Table 3. Participants’ perceptions toward the disadvantages of using
SNS to learn language.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATIONS


ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ABSTRACTS

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INTRODUCTION
1. Rationale for the study

In today's world, with the increasing number of individuals from different
nations coming together, understanding different languages has become more
important than ever. English, in particular, has emerged as the international
language, playing a crucial role in communication across various disciplines such as
research, education, technology, aviation, international sport, and many more. In
Vietnam, the demand for linguistic skills, especially in English, is on the rise among
students. As a result, schools are placing a greater emphasis on foreign language
skills from an early age. However, learning a foreign language in school is not
enough to prepare students to use what they have learned. They need a fresh
approach and a broader range of knowledge, ideally from the Internet. This is where
technology comes in.

Social Networking Sites (SNS) have become a ubiquitous tool for millions of
students worldwide as technology advances. The use of SNS is multifaceted and
includes communication, interaction, and the sharing of posts, photographs, and
videos, as well as writing blogs, sending messages, and participating in real-time
chats (Zaidieh, 2012). This has led to the rise of various social media platforms such

as Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and others, as well as media-sharing sites like
Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube. The widespread availability of internet access
has made it possible for pupils to access material at any time and from any location,
making learning more accessible than ever before. Social media has helped students
to find, manage, and use information more efficiently, leading to an improvement 1n
their reading habits and academic success (Junco et al., 2011; Madge et al., 2009;
Olutola et al., 2016). As a result, the everyday usage of the internet has played a key
role in the development of students' English language abilities. These studies have
shown that when social media is used positively, it can have a significant impact on
students' learning experiences.

However, the question remains: how significant are social networks in
English learning, and how can they be used efficiently to learn English? Choosing
an appropriate approach with a social network during the English learning process
is extremely vital for freshmen in the English Department. While social networks

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offer many benefits for language learners, such as exposure to authentic language
and opportunities for communication with native speakers, they can also be a source
of distraction and misinformation. Completely aware of the importance of social
networks and the influence of learning English through social networks, the author
provides a new study that has never been thoroughly and systematically undertaken
by many scholars in this graduation thesis. "Roles of social networks in English
language learning process towards first-year English major students at Hanoi Law
University" is the title of the topic
2. Aims of the study

As previously stated, one of the most popular study methods among today's
youth is to use social media. As a result, the study aims to investigate the most

important potentialities of Social Network Sites (SNSs) in the English language
learning process for first-year English major students at Hanoi Law University in
order to highlight the significance of social networks. Furthermore, it demonstrates
both the benefits and drawbacks of using social networks to learn English, as well
as strategies for learning English effectively with social networks.

Furthermore, the author hopes that through this research, language learners,
not only in English but also in other languages, will have a correct perception of the
importance and benefits of learning through social networking sites. It is hoped that
foreign language learners will be capable of using social networking sites
effectively as a means of gaining knowledge, as well as find practical ways to
overcome remaining challenges in order to maximize their knowledge of
themselves.

3. Research questions
The following three research questions guided the study during the study

period in order to complete the goal of this study:
1. What is the current situation of English-major freshmen at Hanoi Law

University using social networks in the learning process?
2. How do social networks affect students' academic achievement?

3. What suggestions can be made for helping first-year English major
students at Hanoi Law University use social networks more effectively in their
English learning process?

4. Scope of the study
The scope of this study focuses on and emphasizes two social media


websites, Facebook and TedTalks, in order to highlight their importance in assisting
students in learning English. Due to constraints such as lack of time, limited
knowledge, and a dearth of reference materials, this study primarily focuses on first-
year English major students at Hanoi Law University. However, the findings of this
study can be extended to other institutions and learners who aspire to improve their
English language skills.

5. Significance of the study
This study was conducted to delve deeper into the impact of social networks

on students' English learning. The study aims to provide students with a trustworthy
and informative source of knowledge to enhance their learning experience. By
doing so, students can gain a range of benefits including the ability to empower
themselves in numerous ways such as improving their reading, writing, speaking,
and listening skills. Additionally, this study can also help students to broaden their
network and develop stronger interpersonal relationships. Furthermore, the findings
of this study can potentially contribute to shaping the future of education and how it
integrates technology and social media platforms. Overall, this study serves as an
important step towards improving the quality of education and enhancing the
learning experience of students.

In conclusion, this study sheds light on the benefits of utilizing social
networks in English learning. By providing students with a reliable source of
knowledge, students can empower themselves and enhance their learning
experience. Furthermore, the findings of this study can potentially lead to the
development of new teaching methods and strategies that can benefit both educators
and students

6. Organization of the study
Introduction


This part includes the rationale, objectives, scope, and significance of the study.

Chapter 1: Literature review

In this chapter, social networks, aspects of social networks in language
learning, some types of social networks, using Facebook and TEDTALK as learning
tools, benefits and challenges of using social networks to learn English are critically
discussed.

Chapter 2: Methodology

In this chapter, the content, as well as the method and procedure of the study
are clearly indicated. The data analysis and findings are also presented with an
illustration of the data. The effect related to using social networks to learn English is
clarified from a detailed and critical analysis of data.

Chapter 3: Findings and discussion

Based on the results of the study, the importance of using social networks to
learn English as well as the benefits and challenges are found. Therefore, some
strategies and recommendations suitable for social network utilization will be
suggested. They are expected to be helpful to improve the situation of language
learning for students.

Chapter 4: Recommendations

Summarize some of the research’s most important generalized
recommendations in this study.


Conclusion

A summary of the major findings and suggestions for further research are
presented in this part.

CHAPTER 1: LITERATURE REVIEW

1.1. Social network
1.1.1. Definition and history of social network

With the establishment of the first social networking site, SixDegrees.com, in
1997, social networking sites have gone a long way. It is not easy to get an exact
definition of social networks since they have evolved dramatically over the past
few years, adding new features and services for their customers on a regular basis.
The phrase "social networks" is formed from two words: "social" and "networks."
The first phrase is 'Social,' which implies related to society and how it is organized,
in which they meet and spend time with other people. The second is networks,
which is a term used to describe a collection of two or more interconnected
computer systems (Eren, 2012; Beal, 2015; Namaziandost, Sabzevari, &
Hashemifardnia, 2018).

According to Oxford Dictionary (2011), Social Network is defined as 'the use
of specialized websites and programs to connect with other users or to meet others
with common interests to one's own'. It is a type of social media that facilitates
virtual communities in which users may communicate, interact, and cooperate in
real-time on internet networks, both personally and professionally, in economic and
academic contexts. According to Boyd and Ellison (2008), "Social Networks" are
web-based services that allow individuals to create a public or semi-public profile
within a constrained system, create a list of other users with whom they share a
connection, and read and traverse their list of connections as well as those created

by others within the system. Most social networks have similar features, such as the
ability to establish a profile, post and publish information, start conversations,
interact with other users, and create pages based on specific themes. The popularity
of social networks has led to the development of many different types of networks,
each with its own unique features and user base. For example, some social networks
are focused on professional networking and job searching, while others are centered
around hobbies and interests. Some social networks are geared toward specific age
groups or geographic regions, while others are designed for a global audience.

Launch Dates of Major F— Six Degrees.com
Social Network Sites

}— LiveJournal

AsianAvenue —›:aa

90 _ BlackPlanet

LunarStorm (SNS relaunch) —|

— MiGente

Ryze — Cyworld

Fotolog

Friendster

Skyblog


Linkedin Couchsurfing

Tribe.net, Open BC/Xing ¿ng

Orkut,Dogster_ ——HŠ _ x
F— Flickr, Piczo, Mixi, Facebook (Harvard-only)
Multiply, aSmallWorl— d

04 F— Dodgeball, Care2 (SNS relaunch)

Catste—r ~ *
F— Hyves

C Yahoo! tu a YouTube, Xanga (SNS relaunch)
yworld (China) —- Bebo (SNS relaunch)

Ning —=I Facebook (high schoo! networks)

eT AsianAvenue, BlackPlanet (relaunch)
Facebook (corporate networks)
QQ (relaunch)
Cyworld (u.s.)
Windows Live Spaces
MyChurch, Facebook (everyone)
Twitter

Figure 1. History of social network sites (Boyd & Ellison, 2008)

The development of internet technology in the 1960s gave birth to online
communities, with Usenet being one of the first. Founded by Duke University

graduate students Tom Truscott and Jim Ellis, Usenet served as a discussion forum
where students could exchange their thoughts and ideas. Another type of online
interaction, known as Bulletin Board System (BBS), was launched in 1984.
However, it wasn't until the advent of the World Wide Web in 1991, by British

scientist Tim Berners-Lee that social networks truly took off. One of the most
prominent social networks in history, Friendster, was established and launched in
2003 by Jonathan Abrams. LinkedIn and MySpace have also grown in popularity in
their respective industries. From 2003, social networks grew exponentially in
popularity, so much so that by the time Facebook was founded in 2006, Internet
users had over 200 social networks to choose from. Today, Facebook is considered
to be the most successful social network. As of April 2013, Facebook had over 1.06
billion monthly active members, 680 million mobile users, more than 50 million
pages, and 10 million applications. That's quite an achievement!

Users of social networks have the ability to create and share all sorts of
informative and engaging content with others across a variety of platforms, such as
websites, blogs, and other social media channels. They can act as information
originators, translators, or critics in a given social community, as described by
Mahony et al. (2022). Furthermore, social media platforms can be incredibly useful
for businesses, providing them with invaluable opportunities to conduct product
research and development, sales, marketing, and customer service, as noted by AI-
vari and Magaki (2017) and Chang et al. (2017). There are numerous benefits of
utilizing social networks for users, including facilitating international cooperation
among friends, expanding human communication, and enhancing the productivity
of businesses in developing relationships with clients, as pointed out by Bakhshi et
al. (2013) and Forutani and Bahrani (2018). This enables users to share their
thoughts and ideas with a wider audience and to connect with others who share
similar interests and passions. By utilizing the various features and functions of
these platforms, users can build and maintain strong relationships with others, while

also contributing to the ongoing development of the social media landscape. In
short, social media offers countless exciting opportunities for users to engage with
others, share their creativity and insights, and play an active role in shaping the way
we communicate and interact online.

1.1.2. Some types of social networks
Currently, social media is the most common means to communicate vital
information. Several popular social networking sites host social media as well.
Numerous people use various forms of social networking networks to market

7

themselves or their business's products and services. While there are several sorts of
social networking sites, there are a few typical types:

e Social connections. This is a form of social network in which
users use online profiles and updates to remain in contact with friends,
family members, acquaintances, or brands, or to meet new people with
similar interests. Facebook 1s the current leader, and it 1s quickly
becoming the most widely used social networking site. There are others,
such as WhatsApp, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, and Telegram.

e Professional connections. These social networks are aimed at
professionals and are intended for commercial ties. Networking has been
frequently lauded as a beneficial characteristic in professional circles.
These websites may be used to build new professional contacts, meet or
call other professionals, strengthen current business relationships, and
seek out novel career prospects, among other things. You can always stay
in touch with professional contacts and family members. LinkedIn,
Microsoft Yammer, and Microsoft Viva are just a few examples.


e Sharing of multimedia. Some social networks, including
YouTube and Flickr, provide video and photographic sharing
capabilities. YouTube is the most well-known video-sharing platform.
Most popular videos may be shared online, and keywords are included so
that viewers can easily find the relevant video title. Other users may leave
comments if the video owner allows it. Video-sharing enables a more
distinct appearance of the actual individual.

e Information or news. This sort of social networking allows
users to upload news headlines, informational or how-to content and can
be general purpose or specialized to a specific topic. These social
networks comprise groups of people seeking solutions to everyday issues,
and they have many similarities with web forums. Members answer
inquiries, hold discussion forums, and educate others on how to do
various activities and projects to foster a sense of assisting others. Reddit,

Stack Overflow, and Digg are some popular examples. Jumping into a
debate about your business or industry may help clarify topics and
demonstrate your willingness to connect with your audience. Your efforts
to reach your audience where they like to communicate will help you
gain long-term consumers.

e Communication. Social networks in this context are focused on
allowing users to connect directly with one another in one-on-one or
group conversations. They are similar to instant chat applications in that
they are less focused on postings or updates. WhatsApp, WeChat, and
Snapchat are just a few examples.

e Educational. Remote learning is possible through educational

social networks, which allow students and instructors to collaborate on
school assignments, do research, and communicate through blogs and
forums. Popular examples include Google Classroom, LinkedIn
Learning, and ePals.

1.1.3. Aspects of social network in language learning
Social networking sites have become a crucial aspect of college students’
lives, as they supplement the needs of the new generation of digital natives
(Tissington & Senior, 2011). They also satisfy our innate desire to socialize and
exchange information. Due to their familiarity, the convenience of use, and ease of
access, the use of social networking sites continues to grow on a daily basis
(Almarwany, 2017). Platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and others have become
essential instruments for social interaction, communication, and information
exchange in recent years. Academics suggest that students use social media to
express themselves, support their emotions, and improve their social lives. Using
social media to study English as a foreign language has also been proven to be
beneficial in studies. Social networks create an atmosphere in which learners may
connect with people from other countries and easily learn a language (Godwin-
Jones, 2008; Sturgeon & Walker, 2009). In reality, people prefer to communicate
with one another through social networking sites. Languages can be used by

students to communicate with native and non-native speakers of foreign languages,
primarily English, in order to improve their language skills. Speaking skill is
especially important because speakers, particularly English language speakers, can
convey communication goals through a language, which is the most useful in the
world. When students are allowed to express themselves at a time and location that
fits them, they may use the language fluently, since many students feel timid while
speaking English as a foreign language. This is especially important since English is
spoken by millions of people worldwide, and is an essential tool for communication
in many fields. In addition, social media platforms offer a great opportunity for

students to engage with their peers and learn from one another in a fun and
interactive way. Thus, the use of social networking sites should be encouraged
among college students as a means of enhancing their language skills and
improving their overall quality of life.

According to Zheng, Yim, and Warshauser (2018), social networks provide
an array of possibilities for second language learners, allowing them to participate
in everyday learning activities. This is because social networking sites enable
students to communicate with one another, form a sense of community, and produce
material. Furthermore, students are required to be active in their own learning by
engaging, thinking, and producing, as Casey & Evans (2011) pointed out. By
learning through a social network, students can gain additional information that may
help them evaluate the feedback and view it as more reliable and trustworthy. As
Blake (1998) stated, "technology can play an essential role in facilitating second
language learning by electronically boosting learners' exposure with a diverse array
of genuine resources." With the increased usage of social networking sites such as
Facebook and Twitter, educational methods for students are evolving in novel and
enhanced ways. For instance, social networking sites provide students with far
greater alternatives for engaging with their peers and extending learning to a
dynamic, evolving, and shared experience outside of the classroom. Also, the
broader the network, the more new information is available to that individual. As a
result, more information exchange in the form of feedback is gained, facilitating
learning. Furthermore, the feeling of community generated through social networks

10

can offer learners a support system that motivates them to persevere in their
learning even when faced with challenges.

According to Lin (2012), research indicates that incorporating online social

networking sites (SNSs) into language learning and teaching is advantageous.
Online SNSs provide language learners with a space to express themselves and
build new forms of meaning. This is particularly beneficial because it allows for
genuine tasks and resources that encourage constructivist learning through
meaningful dialogue, which assures interaction for both teachers and students
(Woo, Herrington, Agostinho, & Reeves, 2007). Furthermore, Black (2009)
suggests that language learners who use online interaction platforms develop
distinct components of their linguistic, cultural, and social identities. This shift in
focus from form and structure to meaning and function is necessary for a well-
rounded understanding of the target language. Moreover, online SNSs enable
language learners to create social relationships with individuals from all over the
world, communicate with native speakers of the target language, learn about the
target language culture, and get an understanding of the way individuals use
language. By utilizing SNSs, pupils can learn their target language more effectively
since these platforms engage and motivate them. The ability to connect with others
who share similar interests and goals provides language learners with a sense of
community and support that is vital for success in language learning. In addition,
the opportunity to practice language skills in a real-world context and receive
feedback from others can help learners to identify areas of strength and weakness
and work to improve their language abilities.

1.2. Using social Networks in Learning English process
1.2.1. Facebook
1.2.1.1. Definition of Facebook
Millions of people use Facebook, one of the most popular social sharing

platforms today (Mazman & Usluel, 2010). Facebook is presently the most popular
social networking platform, thanks to its large number of followers. Started and
founded by Zuckerberg in 2004, Facebook began as a network for high school and
college students, but it has since expanded internationally and is rapidly gaining


11

popularity among individuals of all ages (Blattner & Fiori, 2009). Facebook is
primarily an online social network site where people can exchange photos, and
personal information, and create groups of friends. Facebook was created with the
intention of providing a virtual book of faces for university students to interact with
and exchange information. Initially intended for college students, Mark Zuckerberg
and his colleagues created the Facebook website in his Harvard University dorm
room and released it in 2004. This website was popular among Harvard students for
a time as a network through which students could contact one another, but in March
of the same year, this social network expanded to Columbia, Stanford, and other
campuses. By 2006, anyone above the age of 13 and with a verified email address
may join Facebook.

As stated by Ross, Orr, Sisic, Arseneault, Simmering, and Orr (Personality
and Motivations Related to Facebook Usage, 2009), the initial objective of
Facebook was to assist university students to build and sustain social bonds that
were relevant to the academic experience (as cited in Ellison, Steinfield and Lampe,
2007). Maintaining touch with friends, building a network with other people around
one, reuniting with former classmates or friends, finding others with similar
interests, networks for groups and organizations, sharing recent news about a
person's life or obtaining the newest news, and so on are all advantages of using
Facebook. According to the findings of research conducted in the United States,
students spend a substantial amount of time utilizing Facebook capabilities such as
the Messages, Chat, Friends, Links, News, and Pictures functions. Several
Facebook features, such as the "like" button, comment application, and sharing
button, have enticed users to start conversations and rapidly express their opinions.
Additionally, 48% - 50% of youths utilize social networking sites, referring to
(Lenhart and Madden, 2007). Teens enjoy Facebook because it allows them to

customize their accounts. They may discover their own, uncensored voice online
and share it with their peers. Young people today participate in customizing their
online spaces with images, music, videos, and comments in the same way that past
generations may have adorned their bedroom walls with posters of their favorite
musicians or sports clubs. The website has also made it much easier to
communicate. Teens may instantaneously and directly contact their pals on

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