The effectiveness of using Instagram to build writing skills in language classes

Abstract

One of the most important components of language learning is students’ involvement.
The ability to engage students in the classroom can be a difficult task or responsibility for
foreign language teachers. Engaging students in writing programs is a challenge and a major
responsibility of teachers. The technology era has brought with it a lot of conveniences. The rise
in popularity of social media and social networking sites has opened new avenues for people to
communicate in more genuine ways. Thanks to technological progress, it is easier for language
learners to find methods to improve language acquisition and increase the level of engagement.
Social media platforms are also used for educational purposes, because of their importance.
The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of using social media platforms to
improve students’ writing skills. The study employs a qualitative research method design. As a
data collection instrument, there were used semi-structured face-to-face interviews. The study
was conducted in a total of 4 Instagram writing implementations throughout the 8-week writing
course period in the academic year of 2020-2021 (spring term) at the Foreign Languages Teaching Department of Khoja Akhmet Yassawi International Kazakh-Turkish University. At the end of the study, all participants were interviewed. The findings of the study state the positive attitudes toward the usage of Instagram in writing classes.