USING SOCIAL NETWORKS IN LANGUAGE LEARNING IN IRAN

Social networks (SNs) have become an important tool in online communication. Students spend hours using social networks every day, so the scholars in the field of education in general and English as a Foreign Language (EFL) context in particular are trying to integrate SNs in language learning and use them to their advantage. Hence, this research sought to find out to what extent students are familiar with SNs in Iran and are willing to use them as learning tools. Moreover, to what extent teachers believe that SNs can be helpful in teaching different components of language. To this end, two questionnaires were designed; one for students and one for teachers. The results showed that students are active users of SNs and believe SNs are good environments to learn and practice English. Teachers in Iran also recognized SNs as useful tools that can help students in their language learning. It concludes that SNs do have the potential to empower students in their learning English.