Students’ Perception Of Using Tiktok For Speaking In English : A Narrative Inquiry Research on the Eighth Grade Students of SMP Negeri 10 Pontianak

Abstract

In the current digital era, students receive significant exposure to the English language through social media. Specifically, TikTok is one of the most popular platforms providing entertainment and educational videos, including materials on English tenses, vocabulary, and pronunciation. This research aimed to investigate the eighth-grade students' perceptions of using TikTok for speaking in English at SMP Negeri 10 Pontianak. This study employed a narrative inquiry research design, with data collected through observations and interviews. After analyzing the data, the researcher discovered that the students' perceptions varied. Overall, students had a favorable perception, finding that they gained many benefits from TikTok, making it an effective medium for learning English, particularly for speaking skills. The application offers various features that facilitate the learning of speaking, reading, and language components such as grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. Conversely, some students expressed negative perceptions, citing issues such as smartphone lag and difficulties in time management. In conclusion, TikTok is recommended as a viable alternative medium for learning and practicing English speaking.