The impact of Social Networking Sites (SNS) on Continuing Professional Development (CPD) among Saudi English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers remains an underexplored area of research. This mixed-method study aimed to investigate the general CPD practices of Saudi EFL teachers, the prevalent use of SNS platforms, and the specific role of SNS in their professional development. A sample of 182 Saudi EFL teachers participated in this study by completing online questionnaires, followed by in-depth interviews with 15 teachers and the evaluation of tweets from 10 EFL teachers. IBM SPSS and MAXQDA facilitated quantitative and qualitative data analysis, respectively.
The study revealed that general CPD practices among Saudi EFL teachers often involve self-directed learning, with SNS emerging as an informal yet valuable resource. Various SNS platforms, including Facebook, YouTube, Twitter (now called, X), Instagram, WhatsApp, and Telegram, are accessible to Saudi EFL teachers and have the potential to contribute significantly to their professional development. However, despite government initiatives such as Saudi Vision 2030 and Tatweer, there is a lack of formal systems to monitor SNS usage for CPD. Results indicated that Twitter is the most widely used SNS for CPD among Saudi EFL teachers due to its succinct nature, accessibility, and capacity to facilitate global discussions and collaborations. Teachers utilise Twitter to enhance their core knowledge, disseminate information, and engage with peers worldwide.
Nevertheless, this study identified several barriers to the effective use of SNS for CPD, including limited knowledge, time constraints, poor technical facilities, and teacher hesitation. Many participants expressed concerns about their proficiency in leveraging SNS for professional development and advocated for basic ICT infrastructure and formal training initiatives to address these challenges. In conclusion, this study underscores the importance of government intervention in providing essential ICT resources and implementing formal training programmes to promote the effective use of SNS for CPD among Saudi EFL teachers.
