University Students' Lived Experience Using Facebook Group ChatfFor Learning English: A Case Study

Abstract

This study aims to explore the lived experiences of EFL university students in using Facebook group chat as a medium for learning English. Although social media has increasingly been used to support language learning, limited research has examined how university EFL students experience Facebook group chat in their actual learning processes, including its perceived benefits, motivations, and challenges. This study employed a qualitative case study design with thematic analysis. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with three EFL university students who were purposively selected based on their direct and sustained experience using Facebook group chat for English learning. The small number of participants was appropriate for a case study because it allowed the researchers to examine individual experiences in greater depth and obtain detailed accounts of students' perceptions and learning practices. The findings indicate that Facebook group chat supports communication, information sharing, interaction, and collaboration, particularly in relation to students' academic needs. However, students also experienced challenges, including dependence on internet connectivity and the accumulation of messages within groups. Students' perceptions of the platform's effectiveness varied according to their individual learning experiences and needs. Overall, the findings highlight both the potential and limitations of Facebook group chat as a social media-based medium for EFL learning.