Analyzing the contribution of WhatsApp in enhancing English writing skills among undergraduate English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners: A systematic review
Abstract
Social media is becoming a more active and accessible medium for learners all around the world to acquire the English language. A growing body of study is examining how people learn and use language in the digital age, and one such area of study is social media-based English language learning. This systematic review of the literature aims to provide an overview of social media, specifically WhatsApp, as a tool for learning English writing skills in existing literature. This review maps the experiences of learners with learning outcomes related to writing skills as they relate to WhatsApp. To examine the literature that was accessible for the study, a systematic review was conducted. This systematic review complies with the statement of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) standards. The review procedure included a thorough search of electronic databases like Web of Science, Google Scholar, Science Direct, and Scopus. The research articles, which were published between 2013 and 2022 were included in the search. The purpose of this systematic research is to investigate WhatsApp Messenger’s potential to help undergraduate EFL learners improve their writing skills. The review gives a summary of the body of research on the use of WhatsApp for writing instruction, including studies examining the app’s possible benefits for undergraduate EFL learners’ writing skills. Out of n = 90 research studies n = 20 research studies met the inclusion criteria for this systematic review. Among all those 20 studies, researchers adopted (n = 13; 65%) quantitative research methodology. According to the results of this systematic review, WhatsApp gained popularity among researchers in 2019 and 2021, and at that time, there were more studies conducted. The country-wise context of the research studies revealed that Saudi Arabia (n = 4; 20%) has made a significant contribution to the body of studies in which it was discovered that WhatsApp is a highly useful learning tool for improving the writing abilities of undergraduate EFL learners. Future research should explore WhatsApp’s impact on enhancing English writing skills among undergraduate EFL learners, considering diverse contexts and instructional strategies. Educators are encouraged to integrate WhatsApp for group projects, create engaging online environments, and continuously assess teaching methods. Additionally, research could investigate educators’ perspectives on WhatsApp-based approaches and explore the role of other social media tools, like Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook, in enhancing various English language skills.
References
Adas, D., & Bakir, A. (2013). Writing difficulties and new solutions: Blended learning as an approach to improving writing abilities. International journal of humanities and social science, 3(9), 254–266.
Afrilyasanti, R., Cahyono, B. Y., & Astuti, U. P. (2016). Effect of flipped classroom model on Indonesian EFL students’ Writing skill across and individual differences in learning. International Journal of English Language and Linguistics Research, 4(5), 65–81.
Ahmed, S. S. (2019). WhatsApp and Learn English: a Study of the Effectiveness of WhatsApp in Developing Reading and Writing Skills in English. ELS Journal on Interdisciplinary Studies in Humanities, 2(2), 148–156. https://doi.org/10.34050/els-jish.v2i2.6419
Ahmed, S. T. S. (2019). Chat and Learn: Effectiveness of Using WhatsApp as a Pedagogical Tool to Enhance EFL Learners Reading and Writing Skills. International Journal of English Language and Literature Studies, 8(2), 61–68. https://doi.org/10.18488/journal.23.2019.82.61.68
Al-Jarrah, T. M., Al-Jarrah, J. M., Talafhah, R. H., et al. (2019). The Role of Social Media in Development of English Language Writing Skill at School Level. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarped/v8-i1/5537
Allagui, B. (2014). Writing through WhatsApp: an evaluation of students writing performance. International Journal of Mobile Learning and Organisation, 8(3/4), 216. https://doi.org/10.1504/ijmlo.2014.067022
Alouch, M., Ganapathy, M., & Lin, D. T. A. (2021). Using WhatsApp to promote ESL students’ writing. AJELP: Asian Journal of English Language and Pedagogy, 9(2), 54-65.
Alsaleem, B. I. A. (2013). The effect of “WhatsApp” electronic dialogue journaling on improving writing vocabulary word choice and voice of EFL undergraduate Saudi students. Arab World English Journal, 4(3), 213-225.
Anissa, R. N., Utami, S., Setiyani, R., et al. (2017). What’s Up with WhatsApp? The Contribution of Blended Learning Through WA Group Discussion for Better English Writing in Indonesia. Advanced Science Letters, 23(8), 7539–7544. https://doi.org/10.1166/asl.2017.9517
Ariantini, K. P., Suwastini, N. K. A., Adnyani, N. L. P. S., et al. (2021). Integrating Social Media into English Language Learning: How and to What Benefits According to Recent Studies. NOBEL: Journal of Literature and Language Teaching, 12(1), 91–111. https://doi.org/10.15642/nobel.2021.12.1.91-111
Awada, G. (2016). Effect of WhatsApp on critique writing proficiency and perceptions toward learning. Cogent Education, 3(1), 1264173. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186x.2016.1264173
Azlan, N. A. B., & Yunus, M. M. (2020). Undergraduates Student Perceptions’ of Social Networking Sites to Improve English Writing Skills in Malaysia. International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research, 19(3), 329–351. https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.19.3.18
Chugh, R., & Ruhi, U. (2017). Social media in higher education: A literature review of Facebook. Education and Information Technologies, 23(2), 605–616. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-017-9621-2
Fattah, S. F. E. S. A. (2015). The Effectiveness of Using WhatsApp Messenger as One of Mobile Learning Techniques to Develop Students’ Writing Skills. Journal of Education and Practice, 6(32), 115-127.
Feng, S., Wong, Y. K., Wong, L. Y., et al. (2019). The Internet and Facebook Usage on Academic Distraction of College Students. Computers & Education, 134, 41–49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2019.02.005
Francis, J. (2017). The effects of technology on student motivation and engagement in classroom-based learning. All Theses and Dissertations, 121.
Getie, A. S. (2020). Factors affecting the attitudes of students towards learning English as a foreign language. Cogent Education, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186x.2020.1738184
Greenhow, C., & Lewin, C. (2015). Social media and education: reconceptualizing the boundaries of formal and informal learning. Learning, Media and Technology, 41(1), 6–30. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439884.2015.1064954
Hamad, M. M. (2017). Using WhatsApp to Enhance Students’ Learning of English Language “Experience to Share.” Higher Education Studies, 7(4), 74. https://doi.org/10.5539/hes.v7n4p74
Handayani, E. T., & Aminatun, D. (2020). Students’ point of view on the use of WhatsApp group to elevate writing ability. Journal of English Language Teaching and Learning, 1(2), 31–37. https://doi.org/10.33365/jeltl.v1i2.602
Hani, N. A. B. (2014). The impact of WhatsApp group’s utilization on EF students ‘vocabulary writing amelioration. International Journal of University Teaching and Faculty Development, 5(2), 73.
Haron, H., & Kasuma, S. A. A. (2022). The Role of Teachers in Assisting Low-Proficiency Students’ Writing Performance via WhatsApp. International Journal of Virtual and Personal Learning Environments, 12(1), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.4018/ijvple.302098
Hassan, A. Q. A., & Salahuddin Ahmed, S. (2018). The Impact of WhatsApp on Learners’ Achievement: A Case Study of English Language Majors at King Khalid University. International Journal of English Language Education, 6(2), 69. https://doi.org/10.5296/ijele.v6i2.13743
Ilyosovna, N. A. (2020). The importance of the English language. International Journal of Orange Technologies, 2(1), 22-24.
Javed, R. T., Usama, M., Iqbal, W., et al. (2021). A deep dive into COVID-19-related messages on WhatsApp in Pakistan. Social Network Analysis and Mining, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13278-021-00833-0
Joseph, V., & Khan, N. (2020). Digital Literacy Tools to Enhance English Reading and Writing Skills: Detailed Literature. Global Language Review, 3, 21-33. https://doi.org/10.31703/glr.2020(V-III).03
Khan, S., Taj, S., & Maroof, R. Y. (2021). Effectiveness of CLT in developing technical English writing skills at undergraduate level in the context of Pakistan. FWU Journal of Social Sciences, 15(1), 81-89.
Kitchakarn, O. (2014). Developing Writing Abilities Of Efl Students Through Blogging. Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education, 15(4). https://doi.org/10.17718/tojde.64132
Lakhal, M. (2021). Social Media use and its Effects on writing Ability among Moroccan University EFL Students. International Journal of English Literature and Social Sciences, 6(3), 132–143. https://doi.org/10.22161/ijels.63.21
Mehr, H. S. (2017). The Impact of Product and Process Approach on Iranian EFL Learners’ Writing Ability and Their Attitudes toward Writing Skill. International Journal of English Linguistics, 7(2), 158. https://doi.org/10.5539/ijel.v7n2p158
Moher, D. (2009). Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: The PRISMA Statement. Annals of Internal Medicine, 151(4), 264. https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-151-4-200908180-00135
Mohammed Alabsi, K., & M A Alghamdi, F. (2019). Students’ Opinions on the Functions and Usefulness of Communication on WhatsApp in the EFL Higher Education Context. Arab World English Journal, 1(1), 129–143. https://doi.org/10.24093/awej/elt1.10
Muhammad, R. (2022). Using Facebook and WhatsApp to Teach and Learn English: A Comparative Systematic Review. e-Jurnal Bahasa dan Linguistic (e-JBL), 4(1), 16-41.
Muhammad, R., & Nagaletchimee, A. (2023). Effects of WhatsApp Based Lessons on Undergraduates’ Writing Accuracy. E-Jurnal Bahasa Dan Linguistik (e-JBL), 5(1), 35–50. https://doi.org/10.53840/ejbl.v5i1.139
Mulyasari, F., & Putri, S. N. (2020). The Impact of WhatsApp Group on Undergraduate Students’ Writing in the Indonesian Tertiary Context. Proceedings Universitas Pamulang, 1(1).
Mustafa, G., Khan, R. M. I., & Abbasi, A. A. (2022). Impact of social media on EFL Writing Learning. Pakistan Language and Humanities Review, 6(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.47205/plhr.2022(6-I)01
Noyan, E., & Kocoglu, Z. (2019). Developing EFL Writing Skills through WhatsApp Dialogue Journaling. Advances in Language and Literary Studies, 10(2), 38. https://doi.org/10.7575/aiac.alls.v.10n.2p.38
Nurwala, A. (2020). Using WhatsApp to Promote Students’ Writing Achievement for the First Grade Students of Sman 3 Bandar Lampung. University of Lampung, Bandar Lampung.
Okocha, D. O., Sani, N., & Paul, C. N. (2017). Social Media revolution and its influence on contemporary writing skills: An empirical study of WhatsApp usage among undergraduate students at the University of Ghana. International Journal of Advanced Research in Science and Engineering, 6(10), 1060-1073.
Prestridge, S. (2019). Categorising teachers’ use of social media for their professional learning: A self-generating professional learning paradigm. Computers & Education, 129, 143–158. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2018.11.003
Raja, R., & Nagasubramani, P. C. (2018). Impact of modern technology in education. Journal of Applied and Advanced Research, S33–S35. https://doi.org/10.21839/jaar.2018.v3is1.165
Rao, P. S. (2019). The impact of social media on learning English: A critical study in English language teaching (ELT) context. Research Journal of English, 4(2), 266-274.
Rautela, S., & Singhal, T. K. (2020). Deconstructing the Seven Cs of Social Media: A Summative Perspective. International Journal of Interactive Mobile Technologies (IJIM), 14(03), 179. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijim.v14i03.10490
Saputra, U. R., Maulina, M., Nasrullah, R., et al. (2021). Students’ Sentence Errors on WhatsApp Daily Status: A Literature Review. Celebes Journal of Language Studies, 23–31. https://doi.org/10.51629/cjls.v1i1.31
Shahid, S. (2018). Content Analysis of Whatsapp Conversations: An Analytical Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Whatsapp Application in Karachi. International Journal of Media, Journalism and Mass Communications, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.20431/2454-9479.0401002
Si, P. (2019). A Study of the Differences between EFL and ESL for English Classroom Teaching in China. IRA International Journal of Education and Multidisciplinary Studies, 15(1), 32. https://doi.org/10.21013/jems.v15.n1.p4
Slim, H., & Hafedh, M. (2019). Social media Impact on Language Learning for Specific Purposes: A study in English for Business Administration. Teaching English with technology, 19(1), 56-71.
Turan, Z., & Akdag-Cimen, B. (2019). Flipped classroom in English language teaching: a systematic review. Computer Assisted Language Learning, 33(5–6), 590–606. https://doi.org/10.1080/09588221.2019.1584117
Wil, C. S. C., Yunus, M. Md., & Suliman, A. (2019). The Use of Social Media to Assist Writing Skills among Secondary Pupils. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 8(3). https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarped/v8-i3/6388
Wijaya, A. (2018). Student Responses Towards the Use of WhatsApp in Learning. Journal of Teaching & Learning English in Multicultural Contexts, 2(1), 46-55.
Yuliantini, N. N., Paramita, I. G. A. D., Setyono, E. Y., et al. (2021). The use of WhatsApp cooperative learning to improve writing ability. Journal of Applied Studies in Language, 5(2), 245–251. https://doi.org/10.31940/jasl.v5i2.245-251
Copyright (c) 2024 Shugufta Khurram, Sarala Thulasi Palpanadan, Zulfiquar Ali Chachar
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
The author(s) warrant that permission to publish the article has not been previously assigned elsewhere.
Author(s) shall retain the copyright of their work and grant the Journal/Publisher right for the first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under:
OA - Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0). This license allows for the copying, distribution and transmission of the work, provided the correct attribution of the original creator is stated. Adaptation and remixing are also permitted.
This broad license intends to facilitate free access to, as well as the unrestricted reuse of, original works of all types.
_%E5%89%AF%E6%9C%AC1.png){kind=logo}
