The usefulness of Whatsapp on interaction in English as a foreign language (EFL) classroom for input and output enhancement. a case of integrated polytechnic regional college (IPRC) Huye.

Abstract

Teachers paired with technology provide students with high-quality education (Massi, 2001). It is in this view that this study investigated the perspectives on usefulness of WhatsApp technology on Interaction in EFL classroom for input and output enhancement. It specifically explored students’ perspectives toward the involvement of WhatsApp in learning and teaching activity, identified the contribution of WhatsApp on interaction between student-student, teacher student and student- course content and analysed the usefulness of WhatsApp on input and output enhancement. The study was conducted in Integrated Polytechnic Regional College Huye (IPRC Huye). It involved 4 teachers and 56 students from different departments who attended EFL classroom. Mixed method was used; instruments used to collect data were questionnaire and interview. Data were presented using figures and tabulation. Findings revealed that WhatsApp supports students’ self-confidence especially when they are willing to express their views in EFL classroom. It enhances their confidence to write and read in English language; it underpins their writing and reading skills through input and output enhancement. It enhances students’ confidence to communicate in English and exposes them to environment where they express themselves freely in the target language. And it enhances students-student interaction, students-teacher interaction and students- content interactions. It exposes students to teacher, classmates and course content anywhere and anytime.This study ends with recommendations to enable students to benefit greatly from WhatsApp. IPRC Huye should provide free internet access and help students get phones or computers with high storage capacity. Students had to take measures while using WhatsApp in EFL classroom such as muting phone notifications, reducing phones sounds and muting new status updates. As for teachers of language, it is recommended that they should integrate WhatsApp in their teaching and learning activities for students to get familiar with it.