Speaker
Description
This study aims to explore the role of social media in enhancing academic writing skills of TESL students at a private institution in Sabah, Malaysia. Through thematic analysis of interviews with 15 undergraduate students and 2 TESL lecturers, the study reveals that social media platforms such as WhatsApp, TikTok and Reddit indeed play a significant role in collaborative writing, resource sharing and writing skills enhancement. Findings show that students utilize social media mainly for idea exchange, instant feedback, and knowledge sharing, in which enhance their language learning including grammar, vocabulary, and writing fluency. However, maintaining academic formality remains a challenge among students as informal language influences found on these platforms sometimes affect students’ academic writing style. Methodologically, this study illustrates best practices in using qualitative analysis to understand the influence of social media in academic contexts. These insights guide the development of a writing framework that harness social media’s collaborative benefits while addressing its limitations. The research suggests that social media can complement traditional learning by fostering interactive and supportive environment for academic improvement. By integrating social media into traditional learning frameworks, this research offers a dynamic approach to support academic improvements.
Keywords— Academic writing, social media, undergraduate student
