International Journal of Computer Science & Network Security

International Journal of Computer Science & Network Security (국제컴퓨터통신보호논문지학회)
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The Effect of Using WhatsApp on EFL Students' Medical English Vocabulary Learning During the Covid-19 Pandemic

  • Saud Alenezi (College of Education and Arts – Languages and Transation Dept.- Northern Border University) ;
  • Elias Bensalem (College of Education and Arts – Languages and Transation Dept.- Northern Border University)
  • Received : 2024.02.05
  • Published : 2024.02.29
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Abstract

The role of social networking mobile applications such as WhatsApp in enhancing second language vocabulary learning among English language learners continues to be a subject of interest for many scholars. The current study aimed at examining medical English vocabulary learning among undergraduate students using WhatsApp compared to learning vocabulary via the Blackboard platform during the Covid-19 pandemic. To this end, 108 medical students (51 males, 57 females) enrolled in a first semester English for a specific English course participated in the study. A quasi-experimental design was adopted for two groups. Fifty-three students participated in the WhatsApp group and 55 students formed the Blackboard group. A pretest-posttest design was employed to collect data. Results of t-test scores did not show a significant difference between the WhatsApp and Blackboard groups on a vocabulary test. Results of a survey that measured students' opinion of the use of WhatsApp as a platform for learning new vocabulary showed positive perceptions since participants thought that WhatsApp enhanced their learning experience.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

The authors wish to acknowledge the approval and the support of this research study by the grant no. 8256-EAR2019-1-10-F from the Deanship of Scientific Research at Northern Border University, Arar, K.S.A.

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