Innovation in Language Learning

Most universities around the world provide their students various communication channels in order for students to communicate with their instructors. The same concept applies to the Cyprus University of Technology.  Despite the availability of various communication channels, the communication frequency between students and their English language instructors is very limited or in some cases nonexistent as the English language learning process is confined to the classroom. Even though students face various problems related to the language, the vast majority lack willingness to communicate with their English language instructor and to ask for assistance or advice to solve any issues. Such a behavior is counterproductive as today’s competitive employment market requires students to be able to communicate in English in a professional and communicative manner. Students’ persistent lack of willingness to communicate with their English language instructors outside the classroom also deprives students of the possibility to enhance their language skills, build better relationships with their instructors and use their newly acquired language skills outside the classroom in a different context. 

This paper investigates the possibility of increasing the communication frequency and the willingness to communicate outside the classroom between tertiary English language learners and English language instructors by adding the popular social network Facebook as an unofficial university communication tool and simultaneously improve student’s English language skills.