Sustaining English Language Education with Social Networking Sites (SNSs): A Systematic Review

ABSTRACT

Mastery of the English language has always been major impediment to many educators and learners around the world. In this rapidly globalising world, social networking sites (SNSs) have risen to the top, especially during the unprecedented advent of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, the review of SNSs regarding the English education field is scant, in spite of its significance for sustainability education. On that account, this systematic literature review highlights the potential benefits of using SNSs for educational practices. Using the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement, 23 articles from 2018 to 2022 were accessed from three databases, particularly Scopus, Web of Science (WoS), and Educational Resources Information Centre (ERIC). First, the reviewed articles manifest that Facebook is the most frequently used SNSs for English educational purposes. Second, the findings indicated that SNSs have shown a positive impact in enhancing English language competency and improving learning attributes. Third, this review addressed the challenges of using SNSs in the English education field. These findings inferred that there are still research gaps related to the use of SNSs in sustaining English language education. Substantially, this review is advantageous for prospective researchers in identifying the research gaps regarding the use of SNSs for English teaching and learning. © 2023 by the authors.