Social Networking for EAP students

Leigh, TJ (2015) Social Networking for EAP students. International Student Experience Journal, 3 (2). ISSN 2397-3072

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Abstract

For many international students, moving to a new country for higher education poses not only language challenges but also lifestyle changes. This paper addresses the question of whether a social networking site (Edmodo) can help pre-sessional EAP students integrate into British life and study. A cohort of 52 pre-sessional students used the site over a three month period to post comments, share links, and reply to queries. Of the 446 posts made, the majority related to settling in issues such as accommodation, entertainment, and local transport. Findings revealed 92% of the participants intended to continue using the site during their university studies; citing the site‟s accessibility and informality as key positives. At an institutional level, this study suggests English Language Centres could use social media to connect international students to each other as well as to the wider university community both before arriving to the UK and after finishing pre-sessional courses.