Exploring students´perception of Snapchat as an enabling english learning tool inside a classroom of Chilean undergraduate freshmen students from English pedagogy at Universidad Católica Silva Henriquez

Abstract

The following research explored the students’ perceptions of Snapchat as an enabling learning tool inside the classroom performed with Chilean undergraduate freshmen students from English pedagogy at UCSH with ages ranging from 18 to 20. This exploratory study was developed using a qualitative methodological approach. This study was carried out in three stages by the researches. The first stage consisted of observing and filling field notes of the students’ behaviour during four lessons while using Snapchat as a learning tool. The second stage consisted of developing a focus group in order to gather the students’ and teacher’s perception about the use of the Snapchat. Finally, all the data collected was described and analysed. This research took into account the interests of young people on mobile phones and social networks, considering they are part of the Millennial generation who are in contact with gadgets all the time. For that reason, it was important for us to integrate Snapchat to teaching practices, which could be a useful teaching resource since allows students to exercise speaking skills by recording videos that are funnier and more interesting for them. These opportunities of watching and listening to themselves speaking in another language could contribute to improve their overall speaking skills.