Social Networking Sites: Cross-Cultural Perspectives, Implications, and Applicable Frameworks for L2 Teaching and Learning

Introduction

Social Networking Sites (SNSs) and the way networks and relationships are formed, maintained and overall effects of these sites on both individual and societal level have been recognized by scholars from a rich variety of disciplines –ranging from sociology, communications, and psychology to marketing, public relations, education, and information technology (Zhang & Leung, 2014). Even though the wide variety of research asks up-to-date questions and aims to provide fresh perspectives, the diversity of the theoretical and methodological frameworks used in SNS research make it difficult to lay out a coherent analysis of the literature (Wilson, Gosling & Graham, 2012). However, since “such varied perspectives and approaches serve to enrich our work as language educators in general, and as computer-assisted language learning (CALL) researchers in particular” (Meskill & Quoh, 2013, p. 39), it is important for scholars of second language teaching and learning (L2TL) to develop familiarity with the research outside the field. For this purpose, the current paper aims to highlight the research examined within the context of SNS, cross-cultural approaches, and what the relevant findings and implications for L2TL are as well as applicable frameworks that can be adapted by applied linguists and L2TL researchers.