Promoting learners’ autonomy by using Facebook to enhance students’ writing skills / Syazliyati Ibrahim, Sharina Saad, Norlizawati Md Tahir and Phaveena Primsuwan

Language learning in the 21st century develops in tandem with technology. The growth of social
media as the platform for communication is a positive element that can influence students’
learning especially in languages. One clear advantage of having such media is that students can
be autonomous in their learning because they are already familiar with the platform and they
use these sites in their daily lives. VELLP or Virtual English Language Learning Programme is
one such agenda that has managed to take advantage of the popular usage of social media
amongst students today. This programme is created to cater to thirty students of SMK Bakar
Arang, Sungai Petani who have the potential to become better English language users. All thirty
students are invited to join the online learning community in Facebook, moderated by four
English language lecturers. Diverse topics and interesting issues were raised in the online
forum, enabling the students to communicate with one another using correct language. A pretest
and a posttest were given; and data from the tests were tabulated to show the effectiveness of the
programme. All in all, VELLP has managed to prove that an online chatroom or an online
community is able to facilitate second language learners to practice their writing skills in the
target language in a fun and relaxed manner.