Potential of the Use of Social Networks in Teaching a Foreign Language in Higher Educational Institutions

Abstract

Abstract. The article justifies the need to use social networks in teaching a foreign language in higher educational institutions. The research identified the prospects of Instagram in English language classes. Besides, the author developed the algorithm to implement the function of this social network in students’ foreign language learning. The diagnostic, summative, and final stages of the experiment provided for filling of questionnaires by students. The study began with a diagnostic test to establish the level of interest of students and teachers in the use of the potential of social networks. It helped reveal the urgent need to use new social networks in the process of teaching English language to students. To verify the initial level of student’s communicative competence, foreign language skills of students majoring in Pedagogy and Speciality “Foreign Language,” were considered. The experiment involved 40 students. An academic group of the 1st year of the bachelor’s degree was selected to test the developed fragment of the algorithm for using the capabilities of Instagram. The age of students was 18-19 years. The results of this study include a significant improvement of students’ vocabulary, training for the correct usage of grammatical structures, and bridging the language barrier while communicating in English. This technology also received positive feedback from students. Moreover, the study demonstrated the opportunities self-learning by students at home.