Informal Language Learning Setting: Technology or Social Interaction?.

Based on the informal language learning theory, language learning can occur outside the classroom setting unconsciously and incidentally through interaction with the native speakers or exposure to authentic language input through technology. However, an EFL context lacks the social interaction which naturally occurs in an ESL context. To explore which source of language input would have a greater impact, this study investigated the effect of exposure on speaking proficiency. Two types of exposure were provided: audiovisual mass media as a source of language input in an EFL context and social interaction as a source of language input in an ESL context. A sample speaking test was administered to one hundred language learners in an EFL context (Iran) and another one hundred language learners in an ESL context (Malaysia). Then, thirty participants from each context who scored one standard deviation above and below the mean were selected as homogenous language learners. During the experiment, EFL participants had exposure to audiovisual mass media while the ESL participants were exposed to social interaction as a source of language input. At the end, both groups took another sample speaking test. The post-test showed that the EFL group performed better which was indicative of the fact that exposure to technology promotes speaking proficiency.