Social Media as a Tool for English Language Acquisition: A Study on Indian High School Learners

L. M. R. Swarupa Rani

Abstract: This study investigates the impact of daily social media usage on second language (L2) learning among high school students in India. With the increasing integration of digital communication platforms into students' everyday lives, social media has emerged as a potential informal learning environment that influences linguistic competence and communicative skills. The research was conducted among public high school students across different regions of India. A structured questionnaire was administered to a randomly selected sample of 300 participants to gather their perceptions of social media use and to assess their proficiency in English as a second language. In addition, semi-structured interviews were conducted with English teachers to explore their observations regarding students' engagement with social media and its influence on language acquisition. Teachers were also asked to share representative samples of student performance data to support qualitative insights. A supplementary survey was designed to examine whether the use of social media platforms during the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to language skill enhancement. Employing a mixed-method approach that combined both quantitative and qualitative analyses, the study revealed that social media platforms significantly contributed to the development of listening, speaking, and reading skills. However, writing skills showed minimal improvement despite frequent exposure to online content. The findings suggest that while social media applications can serve as effective supplementary tools for second language learning, their educational potential is best realized when guided by structured pedagogical strategies and professional supervision.

Keywords: Social Media and Education, EFL Learners, Indian High School Students, Online Learning Platforms, Language Skills Development

How to Cite?: L. M. R. Swarupa Rani, "Social Media as a Tool for English Language Acquisition: A Study on Indian High School Learners", Volume 14 Issue 11, November 2025, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1416-1427, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR251115113359, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR251115113359