Last modified: 2024-08-09
Abstract
Online communities offer dynamic environments for foreign language learning. This study explores how a Muslim women's English learning club on WhatsApp integrates Islamic values into their daily communication. Employing a descriptive-qualitative approach with observation and questionnaires, the research examines interactions among thirty-eight female members from diverse backgrounds and age groups. Findings reveal that the participants utilize various communication techniques to embed Islamic values within the online learning environment. Islamic terms, short phrases, discussion topics, and stickers function as implicit and explicit cues to these values. Examples include offering suggestions, using courteous greetings, polite statement, thanking, apologizing, reminding each other, giving appreciation, providing consolation, and engaging in communal prayers. Additionally, the study suggests that utilizing WhatsApp as an online learning platform fosters participant engagement with the learning materials. Through daily communication, members have the opportunity to reinforce Islamic values learned both formally and informally. This case study highlights how the presence of Islamic terms and values differentiates this online learning group from other online communities.