Exploring the Effect of Texting on Students’ English Writing Skills at Intermediate level

Abstract

This study aims to ascertain the effect of texting messaging on students’ English writing skills at intermediate level in Lahore. It was descriptive research based on mixed method, survey design, in nature. Data was collected from 200 students and 15 teachers from the government colleges of Lahore district which were selected through purposive sampling techniques via self developed questionnaire and interview protocol for teachers. This study uses George Gerbner’s Cultivation theory which provides a ground to the researcher to ascertain the effects of constant mobile using on the spelling skills of students. With the help of SPSS, Statistical analysis was done of the quantitative data. Qualitative data were explored by text analysis. The quantitative results largely illustrated that negative correlation between text language and writing skills was found which indicates that spelling skills of the text user students are negatively affected by text language or chat acronyms while texting. In the similar manner, a majority of professors believed that the students’ writing skills are negatively effected by textism. Whereas, only minority of the professor believes that the SMS language has positive effects on the students’ writing skills. It is recommended that students should come to know the effect of texting language on their writing skill and should focus their formal writing style to avoid any trouble in English writing skill in future.