~BENEFITS OF USING SOCIAL MEDIA TO LEARN ENGLISH~

LEARN ENGLISH BY USING SOCIAL MEDIA

~Assalamualaikum,everyone~

The second caliph of the Khulafa' al-Rasyidin rule, Umar al-Khattab, once said, "Teach your children with contemporary knowledge, for they are born in an era which is different from yours." These wise words of one of the closest companions of the Prophet of Islam stressed on the importance to prepare the next generation with ample knowledge to face the challenges of the future. In other words, Umar al-Khattab foresaw that time and situation will continue to change and necessary preparation is needed in order to face these changes. The world of technology and communication has changed rapidly during this millenium era. We cannot avoid that and as a matter of fact we will be lack behind if we do not follow it. Information Communication and Technology or ICT has become the major role to bring the world into a more modern and develop. The world of education get the effect on the rapid changes of ICT. Education now have to adapt with the ICT, if not then there will create gap within education and the society. The education world now is also getting more improve by using ICT.

Today, learning English involves much more than studying a textbook, doing tests, and putting dictums into practise. With the advent of the Internet and its attendant technology, hosts of options exist for improving your English skills. These options involve interacting with others online via social networks - communicating in order to learn about other cultures, have fun, and to learn English at the same time.

The advantages of using social networking in language learning. The social networking sites focus heavily on building online communities bound together with common interests or activities. Thereby provide them with tools that help them to do so. In the field of education social networking sites encourage students to engage with each other and to express and share their creativity. Social media is also one good way for students to gain knowledge which can be from outside their classroom activities. With, so many social media they can share and discuss many things related to their need of particular knowledge with others practically.

DEVELOPING SKILLS

ENGLISH FOR SOCIAL MEDIA  will, for example, offer and develop the following skills:

Reading - posts, feeds, articles

Writing – blogging, scripts

Speaking – video and using Google + hangouts, podcasts

Listening – in class, interviews

Students will master these social media networks:

Facebook – Brand context, writing engaging stories,understanding feedback and delivering responses

Twitter – Brand context, discipline  for 140  character communication

YouTube – Brand context, audio and visual skills. Practice interviews and corporate storytelling

LinkedIn – Brand context, ‘professional’ profile  development and how to manage group interaction