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Description
Social media has become an essential part of university students’ daily communication and information access. In Vietnam, where English is increasingly required for academic and career development, social media platforms provide additional opportunities for English exposure beyond classroom settings. This study examines the role of social media as a digital support tool for English as a Second Language (ESL) development among Vietnamese university students.
A mixed-methods research design was employed. Quantitative data were collected through online questionnaires distributed to undergraduate students from several Vietnamese universities. Qualitative data were obtained through short student reflections describing their experiences using social media for learning purposes. The study focused on patterns of social media use, learning-related activities, and students’ perceptions of its influence on English learning.
The findings indicate that most students frequently encounter English content through videos, posts, and online discussions. Many students reported improvements in vocabulary exposure, listening comprehension, and confidence in informal English communication. However, excessive entertainment use may negatively affect study time and concentration.
The study suggests that purposeful and guided social media use can support ESL development. The findings highlight the importance of integrating digital literacy and responsible social media use into TESOL practices in Vietnamese higher education.
Keywords: social media, esl learning, digital literacy, vietnamese higher education, informal language learning
