FACEBOOK AS A PROMOTIONAL TOOL FOR LEARNER AUTONOMY: THAI PRE-SERVICE EFL TEACHERS’ VOICES

Abstract

Facebook has not only opened up new opportunities for social networking, but has also been recognized as an educational tool for language learning beyond the classroom. However, little is known as to what extent Facebook can promote learner autonomy among English as a foreign language (EFL) pre-service teachers (PSTs). This study explores the voices of EFL PSTs with regard to their use of Facebook as a tool for promoting their autonomy in learning English, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing upon Betts and Kercher’s (1996) Autonomous Learner Model (ALM), this study gained deeper insights into the EFL PSTs’ attitudes, perceptions, and ideas concerning the opportunities and challenges Facebook offers them. This qualitative study was based on a purposive sampling of twenty EFL PSTs from a university in northern Thailand. The findings reveal that Thai EFL PSTs experienced all five dimensions of ALM, namely, orientation, individual development, enrichment, seminars, and in-depth study. They also viewed learning English on Facebook positively during the lockdowns since they simultaneously acquired English and enjoyed edutainment resources despite some limitations concerning this platform. Pedagogical implications of this study suggest that Facebook is a suitable platform for ELT professional development and life-long learning, particularly amid the global disruption caused by COVID-19.