A Social Tool: Why and How ESOL Students Use Facebook.

English language learners in the United States and abroad have begun to utilize Facebook, a social networking site, which since its inception in 2004 has been extremely popular with American college students. This qualitative case study with participants from an intensive English program in the US explores seven ESOL students’ motivations for joining Facebook and use of the site and two ESOL students’ reasons for abstaining. This study follows the individual cases and looks across cases to find trends in motivation, use, and difficulties. The ESOL students in this study joined Facebook for social reasons. Their use over a four-week period and interview data showed that they were able to communicate with existing friends, learn English, and learn about American culture through Facebook. They were able to accomplish their goals on Facebook with few difficulties.

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