On the Use of QQ and WeChat in Chinese Tertiary EFL Teaching

Abstract

The rapid development of the Internet and smart phones has witnessed the increasingly visible role of social media (esp. QQ and WeChat) in Chinese higher education settings. Many instructors are looking to this new technology to enhance their teaching as well as promote active learning for their students. With a questionnaire and in-depth interviews, this study investigates the specific use of QQ and WeChat by the teachers at an ordinary Chinese college in EFL teaching. The findings revealed that both software products were frequently used for professional purposes. To be specific, they were used in four major ways: class administration, sharing learning resources, communication with colleagues or students and assessment. The majority of these teachers considered social media a useful tool for professional purposes. Based on the review of the previous studies, potential fields for better integration of social media into higher education were proposed to promote its education value in Chinese EFL teaching on tertiary level.