Abstract

In our 21st century, it is undeniable that the use of social networking sites (SNS) penetrates our life in every single aspect. As with Vygotsky’s (1978) socio-cultural theory, human minds are mediated with external cultural artefacts, then social media, in this case, serve as the cultural artefacts that mediate our language learners’ learning process from an external to an internal plane. This research focuses on elucidating the relationship between the use of SNS and its influence on second or foreign language learning, as well as second or foreign language learners’ attitudes towards the use of SNS for language learning. Data are collected from three higher educational institutions in Macao, and a mixed-methods research methodology with survey and interviews is employed to investigate 1) the SNS Macao University ESL learners use for English language learning, 2) ESL learners’ use of SNS and its influence on English language learning and 3) ESL learners’ attitudes towards SNS for English language learning. The project aims to explore the pedagogical values of SNS for second language teachers and learners, as well as to deepen educators and researchers’ understanding towards the implications of social-networking-sites-language-learning for future second language research.