Uso de WhatsApp en la enseñanza del inglés durante la pandemia: Estudio de caso

Abstract

During the pandemic, the Ministry of Education implemented virtual teaching strategies using digital platforms and applications. WhatsApp emerged as a tool to support English language instruction in virtual classes. This study aimed to explore teachers' perceptions regarding the use of WhatsApp for teaching English as a foreign language. A qualitative methodology with a descriptive and case study design was employed, collecting data through a non-structured interview with two English teachers. Findings from a Bachelor's degree project revealed that WhatsApp was primarily utilized for providing task feedback, sharing assignments and resources, and facilitating communication with students and parents. The most practiced skills were writing, reading, and pronunciation. However, it was concluded that while WhatsApp enabled quick communication, its effectiveness as an educational tool for teaching English was limited due to teachers' lack of training in leveraging WhatsApp for pedagogical purposes.