Exploring the Role of Social Network in SLA: What do We Know from Research in the Past Five Years?
Abstract
Social networks play a critical role in Second Language Acquisition (SLA), particularly as learners engage in varied social interactions that shape their language use and development. In recent years, Computational Social Network Analysis (SNA) has seen rising adoption in investigating the influence of learners’ social network structures and dynamics on language learning outcomes, including language proficiency, development trajectories, and experiences in study-abroad contexts. This study aims to systematically examine and synthesize empirical research conducted over the past five years to identify how different features of social networks support or hinder SLA. A scoping review methodology was adopted, focusing on peer-reviewed articles published between 2019 and 2024 that utilized SNA to explore SLA. The analysis covered studies across diverse learning environments and participant populations. Findings indicate that tightly-knit networks often foster increased language use and exposure, while sparse or homogeneous networks may limit access to linguistic resources. The review also revealed dynamic patterns in how social ties evolve over time and how they correspond to changes in language proficiency. In conclusion, the review underscores the importance of integrating social network perspectives into SLA research and pedagogy. It also identifies several research gaps, including limited longitudinal studies and underexplored sociocultural dimensions of network interactions. Future research should aim to develop more nuanced models of how social connectivity contributes to language learning across diverse contexts.
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References
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