THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON THE LANGUAGE IMPROVEMENT AND LEARNING OF ESL LEARNERS AT THE UNIVERSITY IN LAHORE

Abstract

The study investigated social media's impact on the English language acquisition and enhancement of university-level ESL students in Lahore. A semi-structured interview protocol was employed to gather qualitative study data from eight undergraduate students who frequently for language acquisition. Thematic analysis of interview transcripts indicated that social media substantially and favourably improved students' listening, speaking, vocabulary, and writing abilities. Students said that exposure to English via YouTube enhanced their pronunciation and comprehension, whereas applications like Duolingo and podcasts developed their vocabulary and grammar. This has been enhanced by motivating influences, including peer pressure, teacher-provided support, and personal interest, countering obstacles such as disinformation and distraction. When utilized appropriately, social media offers considerable potential as an effective and versatile alternative for ESL training outside traditional classrooms.