THE USE OF SOCIAL NETWORKS FOR ACADEMIC PURPOSES IN THE FOREIGN LANGUAGE ACQUISITION PROCESS

The aim of this project is to describe the implementation and use of social networks as a tool for giving support to the foreign language teaching area at Universidad Politecnica de Aguascalientes (UPA) in Mexico. It is achieved through a research study focused on teachers and students. It reflects about the purpose of different educational materials, the instructional design and the best type of activities that can be used in social networks like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, etc. Social networks are considered as a Learning Management System (LMS). This paper describes the use of social networks by English teachers of the university through different categories: in-site learning, blended learning and distance learning. The paper invites the reader to reflect on the importance of social networks, considering the way that they work, using them as a tool to foster the learning process in students.