INTEGRATING SOCIAL MEDIA AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE INTO ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING

Abstract

The rapid development of digital technologies has created new opportunities for English language teaching and learning. Social media platforms and artificial intelligence (AI) tools are increasingly being used to provide learners with authentic language input, interactive communication, personalized learning, and immediate feedback. This article examines the role of social media and AI in English language teaching and discusses how these technologies can support the development of listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Social media provides learners with access to authentic English through videos, posts, discussions, podcasts, and online communities, while AI can support language practice through personalized feedback, conversational activities, writing assistance, vocabulary development, and learningmaterial generation. The integration of both technologies can create a more flexible, interactive, and learner-centered learning environment. At the same time, their use presents challenges related to distraction, privacy, unequal access to technology, misinformation, academic integrity, and overdependence on AI-generated content. Therefore, effective integration requires clear learning objectives, appropriate teacher guidance, digital literacy, and responsible use of technology. The article argues that social media and AI should complement rather than replace teachers and traditional pedagogical approaches. When integrated thoughtfully, these technologies can provide learners with meaningful opportunities to practice English and develop the digital competencies required in contemporary society.