Application of WeChat in English Teaching and Learning

As an emerging instrument of communication， WeChat has gained great popularity for its features of sharing information within seconds. Meanwhile， it also provides a new opportunity to facilitate internet education and can be used as an effective supplement for classroom teaching.

1. Advantages of WeChat in English teaching and learning

1.1 Stimulate students’ interest to learn English independently

Since WeChat makes it possible to share information such as articles， pictures and videos， it would be much easier to integrate English learning with students’ daily life. English songs， movies， games， lectures provided makes English learning not as boring as that of in traditional class and students can acquire English knowledge imperceptibly.

1.2 Provide quantities of learning resources

WeChat’s strong power of gathering and sharing information not only offers students with various knowledge but also makes everyone a resource provider. WeChat’s Circles function provides an efficient way for sharing information. WeChat’s official accounts help teachers to design and manage teaching resources conveniently. WeChat’ transformation function of audios and videos helps to create a real context of communication for students to practice listening and speaking.

1.3 Make English learning not limited by time and space

Students can receive resources， ask questions and get feedback at any time and any place. And they can also discuss in groups so that English learning can be more efficient. With this feature， students can take advantage of fragment time to acquire a little English knowledge each time， which can be really a great number if combined together after a long period of time.

2. Application of WeChat in English teaching and learning

2.1 Share learning resources through WeChat’s groups or official accounts

Teachers and students can all share extra materials outside the classroom. English songs， movies， funny pictures or videos can all be included in the sharing list. And by following some official accounts， students can accumulate English knowledge and improve their understanding towards English culture and life which helps to stimulate their interest to learn English.

2.2 Organize learning groups

Students can choose to participate in different groups according to different needs of learning. Teachers can design different discussion topics for different groups and give students time to be fully prepared. And there can be one leader in each group in charge of collecting information for group members every day so as to share information with others， which can also improve his or her ability of gathering and processing information.

2.3 Follow official accounts according to students’ interest

Students can find some official accounts in line with their own interests. There are already official accounts in aspects of translation， news， lectures， etc.， which would issue learning resources. Students can find some useful materials there after finishing classroom assignments. Under such circumstance， students are actually the center of learning， and teachers would play the role of resource-provider.

3. Some points need to be paid attention to

First， WeChat is only an auxiliary tool for English teaching and learning which cannot replace classroom teaching. Since knowledge and resources of all varieties presented in different ways， learning would not be as systemic as that of in traditional classroom. Students may feel confused as to what they should learn， which may lead to a result of being willing to learn everything but end up with barely learning nothing.

Second， the application of WeChat in English teaching and learning should be organized with certain rules. Since students are easily absorbed and influenced by newly-emerging things， learning through WeChat may help students to find an excuse to play their cellphone. Therefore， there must be certain rules to prevent students from spending too much time on their cellphone.

4. Conclusion

The emerging of new instruments of communication facilitates the improvement of teaching. The application of WeChat in English teaching and learning， if guided by certain rules， can be quite an appropriate for students’ learning for it does not only stimulate students’ interest， help improve the relationship among teachers and students， but also broaden their horizon and do good to their future study and life.

References：

[1]柴丽.基于微信的非英语专业大学生英语听说学习诉求的实证研究[J].电化教育研究，2014（10）：66-72.

[2]束定芳.外语课堂教学新模式刍议[J].外语界，2006（4）：21-29.