With smartphones and social media apps in most people’s pockets these days, we often hear about the negative effects that can result from excess use. But social media can also help boost language learning: language acquisition is after all essentially a social and interactive process. So why not encourage learners to make use of social media tools to supplement their more formal studies?
Here, we’ll take a look at some of the benefits social media tools can offer, and give a few hints for making really effective use of them.
Why you should use social media for learning languages
First up, social media tools are gloriously accessible; most are free to use and travel with you on your phone. They can be used wherever there is an internet connection, at any time of the day or night. You can have a German-language discussion on the bus to work, or spend 15 minutes watching videos in Italian while your dinner cooks, for example.
Real life communication.
Social media tools let you experience the language that real people – often native speakers – use in the real world. Read discussions on topics that you are interested in – maybe even practice writing by contributing to the discussion. Watch videos and listen to podcasts to develop your listening skills; have a go at producing your own short videos to practice speaking.
Social media also gives you the chance to meet language users from around the world and from different social groups too: native speakers of Haitian French, or working-class English, for example, or users of the latest slang in Greek. Listen to different accents and ways of speaking; experience more unconventional or modern usage than you would find in your textbook. (But beware! This is not always the kind of language that will help pass exams!)
Authentic materials for genuine engagement
Social media takes language out of the classroom and lets you engage with material created by real people, about things that they (and probably you) are interested in. It has something for everyone: groups and material dedicated to particular hobbies, issues, teams or people…different types of online games… as well as groups focused on language learning in particular.
The chance to use the language to engage with things that you are genuinely interested in makes practicing fun, and greatly increases your motivation. While you are following that debate about the best footballer of all time, or listening to a podcast about the history of jazz, you get something approaching the natural immersive experience that you had when you acquired your first language as a child.
The fact that social media algorithms are designed to keep offering you similar content means that it becomes easier and easier to find material which is both useful and enjoyable. Follow the recommendations to keep on learning.
A format for everyone
Social media has it all: texts, audios, videos – plus the chance to create and share things yourself. Everyone can find formats which fit their own particular preferences. Enjoy reading? Try blog posts and discussion forums. Like listening? Videos and podcasts might suit you better. Want to practice speaking? Make your own short videos. Writing? Contribute to discussions or write your own blog post.
Social learning
Learning with others also boosts motivation and can encourage you to keep going. The social aspect of learning can range from a WhatsApp or other collaborative group set up with classmates – with, or without direct teacher involvement – to dedicated language learning groups in other social media platforms. Follow language learning influencers for motivation, tips, and helpful information that will help you learn languages in general or certain languages in particular. Get learning tips, advice and peer support, from classmates or group members worldwide.
Cultural insights too
As well as the purely linguistic aspect, social media can also provide important cultural insights, through videos showing important places, events and customs, for example. You can also learn about local communication styles by observing how locals speak and write.
The research backs it up
Research has shown that, because exposure to language on social media is fun, engaging, informal and interactive, motivation is usually greatly increased, and stress levels reduced compared to learners using more formal language learning methods.
But learners need certain skills
Learners who want to use social media as part of their language learning do need certain skills, though. They need to have digital literacy and good thinking skills so that they can think critically about what they are told: to distinguish the really useful from the not-so-great.
If you plan to use social media as the main part of your learning strategy, you need to have the motivation and the study skills to learn the language independently: checking and collecting new vocabulary, analysing grammar etc. if you are using social media as simply an informal extra – a way of immersing yourself in the language through materials that you find engaging and enjoyable – this can still help language acquisition in a natural way.
Tools and what to do with them.
Perhaps the simplest way to get daily practice in the target language is to change the language in your phone or computer settings so that you are exposed to the language whenever you use them. Do the same for the apps that you use.
Messaging apps
WhatsApp, Messenger and so on allow you to collaborate with classmates or others who are interested in learning a particular language. You could, for example, share material (educational or more lighthearted), and discuss together in the target language. You could hold quizzes, set puzzles for one another, play language games together, and so on. Messaging groups can also offer peer feedback and support: making suggestions for improving user created content or tips for practicing a particular issue, for example, or answering questions that others might have about the language. Regular interactions in the target language can also help communication skills and improve confidence.
Social networks
Facebook has short posts for quick reading practice, and often has visuals to support understanding. It’s a good place to follow posts by friends and other people or organisations you are interested in. Seach using your target language for groups focused on things that you are interested in; for example, “Piha ja puutarha” should help find gardening-related content gardening in Finnish – if that is what you like. You can also try posting and commenting yourself in the target language.
You can also communicate with native speakers and other language learners in study groups, language exchanges, and Q&A sessions. To find suitable groups, simply search for eg “Learn Spanish” or “Language Exchange – Greeks”. Follow language teachers and influencers; many will post regularly with bite-sized lessons and other hints.
The visual format of Instagram is especially suitable if you prefer more image-based inputs. Visuals can help you decode the language in the caption and are perhaps a less challenging way of consuming content, without the need for too much reading. Again, by following accounts in your target language that cover topics you are interested in, you get exposure to the language in an immersive and enjoyable way.
For more formal practice, look out for material posted on Instagram by language teachers or language learning influencers, such as vocabulary cards, short videos, and infographics on language topics. Engage with posts by leaving comments of your own: this will help intensify the language learning process.
To find suitable accounts to follow, search for hashtags for topics / languages that you are interested in. Some language-focused hashtags could include #languagelearning, #learn[language] or @easygermanvideos / @easyspanishvideos / @easyfrenchvideos. For more general language learning hints: @languagehacks / #languagelearning
Real-time communication on X/Twitter and other messaging platforms such as BlueSky is very helpful for short, frequent language practice. You can follow native speakers, take part in discussions, and participate in language challenges here. Reading short messages in another language can be entertaining and useful for learning. Again, the informal nature of many exchanges means that there is no need for language to be too perfect, so you can feel free to communicate without too much stress.
Reddit features specific communities where users can ask questions, exchange language learning tips, and find language partners for practice.
Video tools
Video content on YouTube allows you to consume material in the target language, but with visual clues to help you understand what is going on. You can also use subtitles and/or slow down playback speed. Reading comments on videos has also been shown to improve comprehension. As well as language practice, videos can also offer insights into the culture of a place.
As well as general videos, YouTube also contains a range of dedicated language education channels. Search for “Easy (German)”, for example, to find suitable channels.
TikTok’s conveniently bite-sized pieces of user-created content are good places to experience less formal, more up-to-date language use – although the current slang can often become outdated quickly. You could also try creating your own short videos using the language that you have.
MMOs
If you like gaming, the MMO (massive multiplayer online game) of your choice could provide a chance to discuss and interact with other users. Content is often repetitive, and the language used is often English, but it is worth a try.
Although not a traditional social media channel, language learning platform Duolingo is starting to offer more social exchanges, with the possibility for users to encourage or compete against others, as well as to work with friends to complete challenges. Duolingo also has an account on X where they share amusing information about different languages.
Challenges and Considerations
There are lots of benefits to learning language through social media, but it’s still important to remember that the language tends to be fairly informal, with incorrect spelling and grammar as well as slang; these might not be appropriate in more formal contexts, such as at work or in examinations. It’s important to approach material that you meet there critically. Digital distractions are also a danger on social platforms, which could hinder focused learning if not careful.
Other apps
Finally, a quick mention of a few other language learning websites which have a social aspect to them. Some of these do require a subscription, so bear this in mind.
– italki – paid lessons with professional language teachers, but also community features, such as question and answer sections. and contacts with other language learners.
– Speaky – a free language exchange app; with more than 110 languages, you can practice even some of the more unusual languages through audio and video chat with other users. Sign in with Facebook / Google+ accounts.
– HiNative – a question-and-answer platform, where you can post text/audio questions about language or culture for native speakers / locals to answer. (AI is also involved at times.) Users from more than 170 countries, over 110 languages. Basic package is free, premium version has many more features.
– Unilang – a free language learning platform which works like a traditional social network. Features include a general language forum for discussing language learning in general. There’s also a Culture board to help users learn about world cultures, and many language-specific forums.
So, there you have it! Social media is more than just a place to scroll mindlessly. Make the most of it to improve your language skills: it’s the natural way to learn.
