SOKOTO: PERCEPTION OF SELECTED UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN LEARNING ENGLISH LANGUAGE USING WHATSAPP

Abstract

This study investigates perception of students on the use of WhatsApp among students learning English, exploring its advantages, disadvantages, and potential solutions. The study reveals that students use WhatsApp for learning English language purposes, including learning (48.4% and 22.4%), management of students (11.2%), delivery of lecture notes or assessments (9.2%), and socialization (8.8%). However, the use of WhatsApp also has some disadvantages, such as addiction or excessive use (48.0%), poor electricity (32.8%), and poor accessibility (19.2%). To address these challenges, the study suggests monitoring (54.0%), proper orientation on the use of social media (30.4%), and improvement in power supply (15.6%). These findings are consistent with previous research that highlights the benefits and challenges of using WhatsApp in education. The findings reveal that students utilize WhatsApp for learning, socialization, management, and delivery of lecture materials. However, excessive use, poor electricity, and poor access are notable challenges. To mitigate these issues, the study suggests monitoring, proper orientation on social media use, and improvement in power supply. The research provides insights into the role of WhatsApp in English language learning, highlighting its potential benefits and challenges.