Utilizing Facebook in EFL Writing Classrooms in Oman

Abstract

This study explores students’ attitudes towards the impact of social media ( on teaching writing at Buraimi University College (BUC, hereafter). Facebook "FB, henceforth” group creates an atmosphere of active learning. The participants’ attitude was measured through a questionnaire and interviews with both students and teachers. Pre-and post-writing achievement tests were administrated. So, a mixed approach was used to collect accurate data. Sixty students and fifteen EFL teachers were selected randomly. The findings showed that the FB group excelled in writing. Also, it was revealed that students learned new vocabulary through reading teacher’s and classmates’ comments and engaged in a collaborative community to produce elegant pieces of writing. Moreover, EFL teachers had positive attitudes toward social media. Furthermore, FB encouraged learners to monitor their progress, think critically, ameliorate their drafts, self-correct, receive teacher’s and partners’ feedback. These results may contribute in updating the methods of teaching writing in Omani schools.