THE EFFECT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ENGLISH ON STUDENTS’ SPELLING ABILITY: A STUDY OF REDEEMER’S UNIVERSITY UNDERGRADUATES

Abstract

Communication is a vital tool that enables interaction among people. The information and communication technology revolution has resulted in easy and free access to various social media sites that allow users to receive and send messages. However, because this revolution has altered the information world, it also threatens effective communication. This study examined the effect of social media English on students' spelling ability. The objectives examined the effect of social media English on the spelling ability amongst Redeemer's university undergraduates, the extent to which abridged spellings are used and the attitude of respondents toward using social media English for communication. Cultivation and Dependency theories were adopted, and focus group discussion was used for data gathering, with thirty-one (31) participants chosen purposively from each department in the eight faculties to serve the purpose of this study. Also, eight (8) focus group interviews were conducted at Redeemer's University Findings revealed that the students were involved in using social media English and even did in formal settings. Further research revealed that the use of social media English is preferred for communication among undergraduates, indicating that they have positive attitudes toward the use of social media English. Based on the findings, it was concluded that social media English is prevalent among undergraduates and that if usage is not limited, graduates who do not know how to spell correctly even in formal settings will be produced. The researchers recommended that for students to achieve effective communication, they should maintain the habit of clarity in their written communication and not rely on social media English.