Measuring the Effects of Mobile and Social Networking Technology on the Enhancement of English Language Skills: A Comparative Study

Abstract

This study investigates the effectiveness of mobile learning and teaching technologies and social networking platforms in enhancing English language skills among students in senior secondary public schools in India. Given the rising interest in these educational tools, their impact on language skill development remains underexplored. Addressing this gap, the study employed an experimental design with 120 randomly selected participants divided into three groups. For 12 weeks, each group received English language instruction through different mediums: mobile learning technology (Google Classroom), a social media application (WeChat), and a traditional multimedia projection system. The findings indicate a significant improvement in the English language proficiency of students who used mobile learning technology, as opposed to those who engaged with social media tools or traditional methods. This highlights the potential of mobile learning technologies in effectively enhancing language learning outcomes in the educational context. Furthermore, the traditional multimedia methods employed were found to be less effective in fostering language proficiency when compared to the employment of Google Classroom and WeChat. Given the results of this study, it is proposed that future research endeavors investigate the potential impact of severe games on language learning outcomes. In addition, it is advised that future investigations focus on creating and integrating demanding games that aim to enhance students’ proficiency in the English language.