Perceptions of Pakistani University Teachers About The Influence of Popular Social Media on Their Spoken Language: A Sociolinguistic Exploratory Study

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to find out how Pakistani university instructors perceive the effects of utilizing well-known social media sites on their spoken English. These days, social media platforms are important places for people to engage with one another. Language use has been profoundly impacted by social media in several ways, including writing and speaking. New forms of written language, such as blogs, tweets, Facebook posts, Instagram status updates, and more, have proliferated since the internet's inception and the substantial growth of social media networks. Globally, people use social media platforms to communicate interactively. The current study is exploratory in nature and has employed qualitative techniques to gather information through interviews. The study examined the alterations or patterns, inclusions, and exclusions that university instructors see in their spoken English that are attributable to the impact of widely used social media on their spoken language. Data was collected through interviews and was analyzed thematically using Braun and Clark (2016) thematic analysis model. The study finds that the social media can be considered a strong addition to spoken English development among university teachers in Pakistan. Social media can be used to add value to language skills and pedagogical performance; however, when used irresponsibly, it can breach the rules of formal language.