Effect of Social Networks on Iranian L2 Learners’ Metaphorical Competence

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of social networks on Iranian L2 learners’ metaphorical competence. To this end, the Oxford Placement Test was administered to the upper-intermediate L2 learners of English in Shahrekord at a language institute named Iranian Academic Center for Education, Culture, and Research. Then, 50 learners were selected to enter to the next phase of the study. Participants were selected via convenience sampling and assigned into 2 groups: experimental and control. In doing so, prior to any treatment, a researcher-made idiom test was given to the participants as the pretest. Experimental group received the treatment through introduction, prologue, and spreading, whereas the control group did not receive any treatment at all. At the end of the study, the idiom test was given to the participants again as the posttest. Results of an independent samples t test revealed that e-learning had a statistically significant positive effect on the participants’ metaphorical competence. The major advantages of online idiom learning for Iranian L2 learners can be its convenience of time and place, detailed information, and in learning content that motivates their interests and autonomy. Thus, e-learning is known as the cutting edge of education and as an effective element in academic settings.

Keywords:

social network , e-learning , metaphorical competence , idioms