call me Miss Leanza^^

SUMMARY

 The article shows the investigation about the pros and cons of applying social networking tools into ESL writing classroom and discussions about the effort of planning activities by using SNSs in the classroom. The strengths applying SNSs into ESL writing classrooms is it can foster students' creative skills by applying brainstorming strategy between the students during writing via SNSs in the writing classroom. Besides that, this application can build up collaboration among students. The students will be given freedom to create what they think it is new via the SNSs. Moreover, they will have the encouragement to learn something new even a single word or phrases, motivated by their friends which posted something through SNSs tools. There will be non face-to-face learning writing and without facing others facial expressions will reduce their stress. Furthermore, the students can access at anywhere at any time and this will bring convenience for them in learning writing. Nevertheless, if they encounter problems about writing, they can get instant responses from their teachers through SNSs. Apart from that, blogging will build students' self confidence if they are inspired by their friends or teachers whom have commented on their blog posts. However, the weakness of applying SNSs in teaching writing classroom is the students will face distraction and might pay less attention on their writing. They might care more about the news feed or status updated by their facebook friends instead of learning how to write. The students tend to use informal short form and will not write a sentence in complete form. The students will also cant remember how to spell a single word correctly due to the automatically correction system of the computer. Lack of communication between fellows during ESL writing classroom which integrated by SNSs will let them feel boring. For those who can’t manage their time well will spare more time on the online entertainment rather than doing their writing on Internet.

 

MY EXPERIENCE

For my opinion, it is feasible in Malaysia for the application of SNSs in ESL writing classroom due to the familiarity of the using of SNSs by majority students. That is not necessary for the teachers to teach their students how to use facebook. I agree with the point that the brainstorming strategy as those shy students can just use the SNSs  to point out their opinions during writing lessons. Furthermore, their creativity can be discovered during brainstorming due to the critical thinking. Yet, I disagree about the using of facebook as there are some cases that the private lives of the active facebook users especially for those teenagers have been distracted. Facebook indeed is a good social interaction tool but it is not for learning.

 

WHAT WILL I DO

 If it comes to learning, it must be separated by students’ private lives. As overall, the integration of  SNSs into ESL writing classroom is encouraged for the students but should be in more systematic way. The students are not allowed to mingle their private matters into the learning of writing during the writing lessons. For sure if the SNSs is integrated into the ESL writing classroom, the online safety has to be provided and be guaranteed. In addition to the online safety, the school area should have Wifi and every students should be provided a laptop. For the schools which are located at he rural areas will face Internet accessing problems and this problem should be resolved as soon as possible for the students.

  Hi, Leanza^^ this is Leanza here... erm.. sounds kinda awkwards.Anyways, let get started right now.

  So what should I tell to myself? erm... lets say  about your uni life here. How's that going? so far so good? Can you adapt yourself well to this brand new environment? No homesick? haha... still sounds awkward.. why am I asking myself these questions? For sure me myself know very well about the answers...

    Actually everything is fine here. If you feel it's tiresome, just recall back what abang siswa said before "think about your parents". You came here for them and you should not give up easily. A letter to myself yet I dont know what do I want to tell myself. Leanza, cheer up.This is just a start. Strive for the best and dont ever give up in any circumstances. Although it will be difficult for you, just keep going on and get the strength from God.Pray for the strength from Him and He will answer your prayers sooner or later.Be aware always as you dont know what will happen to you next.Keep safe. Try to talk more and communicate with others. Dont be too quiet.Otherwise they will find out you boring. Be good and generous to others. Be punctual in anytime. And also be polite always to anyone you meet with. No procrastination for the courseworks and assignments. There will always be sometimes you can't catch up with the bus, so Leanza please try to be patient. No homesick again.Grow up and fight for your own future. Eat well and sleep well. Do more revisions.

   Take care of your own health, especially as you know that you are quite weak although you look strong. Eat more fruits rather than having snacks. (although I know you dislike snacks) There will be sometimes you feel stressful and need food to release your stress. Please say no to snacks,hahaha...If you have any problem in study, ask when you cant understand,  If you dont ever ask, the answer will always be a 'No'. Make more friends here. Uni life is once in your lifetime so treasure it.

   Last but not least, be brave. Dont be a coward. Do be a brave girl and tend to try anything, as if you never try, you will never know where is your limit^^.

   Erm.. I think thats all from me for you^_^. Do be healthy and happy always. No worries.  hahaha.. Love you, dear Leanza.