An Investigation into the Impact of Facebook Group Usage on Students' Affect in Language Learning in a Thai Context

Abstract

This paper reports on the way in which Facebook Group used as a learning management system can enhance Thai students' effective language learning (positive attitude and motivation) in a private university in the vicinity of Bangkok. These two variables are seen to influence learners' achievement in language learning, and they also interdependently influence one another. The qualitative outcomes deriving from ten participants revealed positive impacts of the Facebook Group usage on their attitude towards, and motivation in, learning English as a specific purpose in a Thai context because they commonly found themselves relevant to the Facebook Group as regular users of Facebook. Partly, the Facebook Group could give them senses of convenience, simplicity and relaxation and reduce cultural power distance between the instructor and them. Out of the exploratory parameter, the Facebook Group could be an online tool to facilitate English learning through error corrections. Positive results offered some insightful suggestions and implications for teachers of English as a foreign language. A specific limitation of this study is also discussed.