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Edunity
Volume 3 Number 4 April 2024
p- ISSN 2963-3648- e-ISSN 2964-8653
EXPLORING THE USE OF TIKTOK EDUCATIONAL VIDEO TO
INCREASE STUDENTS’ VOCABULARY AT SMKN 02 BATU
Lutfi Rasyidah Amelia
1
, Sugeng Susilo Adi
2
Universitas Brawijaya, indonesia
Email: Lutfira16@student.ub.ac.id
ABSTRACT
Vocabulary is essential for English learners to understand the material. To increase students' interest
in learning new words, medias can be used. This study aims to evaluate the practicability of TikTok as
an EFL educational platform based on students' perceptions and assist educators in this regard. This
study employs a qualitative method using a questionnaire and interviews to determine the number of
TikTok users and to gather information from interviewees to provide a comprehensive description and
elucidate the perceptions of students. Purposive sampling was used to select 27 students majoring in
Agricultural Product Processing Agribusiness from SMKN 02 BATU, of which 5 were chosen for
interviews. The interview session identified five themes related to students' perception of TikTok
educational videos and their impact on vocabulary development: 1) content type, 2) benefits, 3)
advantages, 4) weaknesses, and 5) impacts. The results revealed that students mostly learn new
vocabulary effectively through TikTok since it provides a practical way to understand the meaning
through real-life examples from TikTok. The study found that using media to teach English to
vocational students is more effective than using textbooks, despite some students finding it distracting.
This suggests that implementing TikTok educational videos in the future could be more effective than
previous methods.
Keywords: Video education, media social TikTok, improving vocabulary
Introduction
Every individual has a collection of words called vocabulary that might be different in
every individual. (Oxford, 1990) claims that because there are tens of thousands of possible
meanings for words, Vocabulary is the component of language learning that is both the most
voluminous and the most challenging to manage. This is true whether the language in
question is a foreign language or one's native tongue. Vocabulary embraces individual words
with specific meanings, as well as lexical phrases and multi-word expressions. Speakers of a
language aren't able to converse with each other and transmit meaning without vocabulary
(Shavkatjonova & Khalilova, 2023). The significance of vocabulary in English language
instruction is twofold. Firstly, a lack of vocabulary impedes students' ability to express their
ideas and comprehend those of others. Secondly, a solid vocabulary is essential for effective
communication.
Vocabulary plays a pivotal role in the process of learning English, as it forms the
foundational knowledge base for acquiring language. As described by (Nation & Nation,
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2001), the connection between vocabulary cognition and language use is reciprocal and
interdependent. Having a robust vocabulary facilitates proficient language usage, while
engaging in active language use fosters the development and growth of vocabulary
knowledge. Consequently, vocabulary acquisition is of paramount importance for those
learning English as a second language (ESL) or as a foreign language (EFL). It is also crucial
for all language abilities, including speaking, listening, reading, and writing (Nation &
Nation, 2001). Vocabulary acquisition is instrumental in unlocking all other language skills in
ESL/EFL learning. It fosters confidence, enables clear communication, and facilitates fluency
and deeper engagement with the language.
A well-developed vocabulary, both in scope and depth, is a strong predictor of academic
success (Dakhi & Fitria, 2019). Research consistently indicates a positive correlation between
vocabulary knowledge and academic achievement across various disciplines and educational
levels. The strength of vocabulary lies in its ability to facilitate comprehension,
communication, and higher-order thinking skills. A rich vocabulary enables students to
understand complex academic texts, express themselves effectively, and analyze information
critically. This equips them for success in academic discourse, problem-solving, and creative
exploration. Therefore, prioritizing vocabulary development through active learning is not
just an enriching exercise, but a strategic investment in academic achievement (Mayer, 2002).
The current situation shows that vocabulary learning might be done in various ways.
For instance, by using technology. Smart technology has brought us to the social media era
which leads us to do anything from social media. TikTok is an example of a well-known
technology today, based on data from statisca, in january 2024, TikTok users from Indonesia
has reached 126 million users. TikTok is utilized for educational as well as commercial and
recreational objectives. The instructors provide valuable insights based on their experience
and have a good influence on the viewers of their films (Rahmawati, Syafei, & Prasetiyanto,
2023).
Moreover, TikTok's expansive audience and aesthetically captivating content have been
recognized as a suitable platform for disseminating factual information and transforming
education (Maulida, Noviyanti, & Wahyunengsih, 2022). This channel affords learners
chances to encounter language and prevalent vocabulary and phrases, ultimately improving
vocabulary mastery and comprehension.
As is well known, the use of video in academic settings has numerous advantages,
including the potential to engage students in learning through video presentations by their
teachers. The deployment of videos can also facilitate the delivery of learning materials to
students by teachers. (Richard, E Mayor, 2002) TikTok is used to disseminate content for
educational purposes as well as for commercial and recreational objectives. Instructors
provide valuable insights based on their experience and exert a positive influence on the
viewers of their films. The definition of each new word that students learn may be more easily
visualized if all words were represented using images or videos. As (Rahmawati et al., 2023)
highlight, the utilization of educational videos enhances not only individuals' abilities but also
their creativity, motivation, and vocabulary. The use of video as a medium for language
learning realistically presents language, combining visual and audio elements. This can assist
young learners in comprehending vocabulary meanings and generating enthusiasm for
vocabulary acquisition. Therefore, it is necessary to abandon the idea that pupils may improve
Exploring The Use Of Tiktok Educational Video To Increase Students’
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their vocabulary without context by memorizing lists of unrelated word meanings (Anderson
& Nagy, 1993).
The utilization of media plays a crucial role in learning since it promotes effective
dissemination of educational content to students (Syah, Nurjanah, & Mayu, 2020). By
employing captivating media, students can grasp learning concepts better. Nevertheless,
incorporating educational videos on TikTok can significantly aid learners in visualizing the
acquired knowledge. According to (Syah et al., 2020), educational video media is intentionally
designed for learning; it serves as a medium to convey educational content indirectly through
videos. As in video tutorials, where the video serves not only as advice but also as a means of
learning procedure text.
TikTok can be a valuable tool for individuals, educators, and tutors to promote
exciting and engaging English language learning in Indonesia. Especially with its diverse
educational content, TikTok not only presents fundamental English concepts such as
grammar, tenses, vocabulary, and slang, but also provides numerous tutorial videos that can
be utilized for educational purposes, including teaching procedure text. However, this
approach can be advantageous in teaching vocational school students who require more
hands-on experience.
This study aims to assist educators in evaluating the practicability of TikTok as an EFL
educational platform, based on students' perceptions. Additionally, the findings of this
research are anticipated to establish a background for future English language learning
investigations. Previous studies may have used small sample sizes or focused on specific
groups, such as language learners or individuals from certain cultural backgrounds, which
hinders making broad conclusions about the effectiveness of using educational videos to teach
vocabulary. Further explanation is needed regarding the challenges involved in implementing
educational videos for teaching and learning English.
Research Methode
This study utilized a qualitative case study design and relied on questionnaire and
interviews as the main data collection method. The questionnaire uses for the collection
empirical data of students that have been used TikTok for their learning media and
accumulate the content they usually use as learning topics. The purpose of this approach was
to comprehensively describe and elucidate the perceptions of student regarding the utilization
of TikTok for medium in English language learning. The study included 6 students from X-
grade Vocational High School 02 Batu, with a focus on those majoring in Agricultural Product
Processing Agribusiness.
Research Design
This study involved the use of observation sheets and interviews. The observation
sheets gathered information on participants, including the number of individuals involved.
Additionally, Google Forms was used to administer an online research questionnaire. The
questionnaire utilized a Guttman scale with binary choices, "Yes" and "No," to assess students’
user of TikTok for English language instruction. All questionnaire statements were framed
positively, focusing on the mostly shown content of TikTok for learning English. Respondents'
support or lack for each statement indicated a positive or negative perception, respectively.
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Supporting reasons will be provided by each respondent. After collecting the results, the
researcher conducted interviews with participants, selected based on the questionnaire
results.
Instruments
Data was collected in this research study using a variety of instruments. Observation
sheets were used to evaluate whether participants were employing TikTok for English
language learning. Research questionnaires were utilized to investigate students' views on
using TikTok for language acquisition. Additionally, interviews were conducted to examine
students' attitudes toward integrating TikTok into English instruction.
Population and Sample
This research examines students' perceptions and learning motivation regarding the use
of educational videos on TikTok for English learning. The study was conducted in the 10th
grade majoring in Agricultural Product Processing and Agribusiness at SMKN 02 BATU.
Purposive sampling techniques are employed to advance knowledge about the experiences of
specific individuals or groups or to further the development of ideas and conceptions (Devers
& Frankel, 2000).
Data Analysis
After the completion of data collection, the gathered information will be analyzed to
derive the research findings. The collected data will be categorized based on the questionnaire
outcomes, with a focus on participants who actively use social media and educational videos
as learning resources. Consequently, these participants will be invited to participate in
interviews to further explore their experiences and perspectives. To conduct interview data
analysis, begin with transcribing the interviews and becoming familiar with the content. This
entails reading through the transcripts several times to grasp the information and pinpoint
significant patterns or themes. In order to identify preliminary concepts or ideas, the interview
data is analyzed without predetermined categories in the following stage known as "open
coding." This exploratory data analysis method allows for the discovery of new insights and
patterns without the imposition of any preconceived notions by marking certain segments.
Result and Discussion
Research Findings
Students user TikTok as a learning tool
Table 1 presents the findings of a survey on the use of TikTok as a learning medium by
students of English. The results indicate that the majority of students employ TikTok as a
learning tool, particularly for enhancing their vocabulary through educational videos on the
platform.
Table 1
TikTok as learning media user by students in learning English
Variable
Dependent Variable
TikTok User
20
Non-TikTok User
7
A review of the data in the table above indicates that 20 students have utilized TikTok
as a learning tool. This indicates that more than 50% of students have used the TikTok
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application for independent learning. The questionnaire results show that students use music,
movies, vocabulary, idioms, tenses, and grammar as references for learning English
vocabulary, as shown in the diagram below.
Figure 1
Types of content commonly learned by students
The students’ perception of TikTok educational videos used on increasing vocabulary
The researcher idenitifed two main areas of focus for the analysis and discussion:
students’ perceptions of educational videos and the context in which they perceived benefits
in terms of vocabulary acquisition. The table below presents a summary of the major themes
and sub-themes identified in the study.
Table 2
Theme and Sub-theme of research question
No.
Themes
Sub-Theme
1.
Kind of content
Vocabulary, Tenses and Grammar,
Musics, Movies, Idioms
2.
Benefits
Increase students’ vocabulary,
pronunciation, grammar, and speaking
3.
Advantages
Easy to understand, easy to find
4.
Weakness
Too many distractions, hard to apply
5.
Impacts
Individual impact, class impact
There are 5 participants in this interview, 2 male and 3 female respondents. Each
respondent was given a pseudonym. S1, S2, S3, S4, S5 are the student numbers.
Respondents reported finding various types of content helpful for learning English on
TikTok, including vocabulary, tenses, grammar, music, movies, and idioms. "I often find
learning videos about new vocabulary in English, and I also learn how to pronounce it, and
often I learn it from music content, songs, how to use idioms or slang”. (s1) Participants in the
benefits category reported that TikTok's educational videos helped them learn English outside
of class. The findings indicate that all participants learned new vocabulary, pronunciation,
and speaking skills. For instance, participant s3 stated, “TikTok's educational videos not only
7%
4%
56%
29%
4%
Types of content learned by students
Vocabulary
Tenses and Grammar
Musics
Movies
Idioms
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provide new vocabulary but also improve my speaking skills through content that is more
relatable to everyday life”.(s3) The students noted that TikTok is a user-friendly platform for
finding and comprehending learning references. As one student stated, “I find TikTok
somewhat helpful because it provides easily accessible and understandable learning
references compared to learning from books.” (s4) The fourth category of issues relates to the
limitations of the use of TikTok as a learning tool. It is possible that students may feel
comfortable using TikTok as a learning tool. However, there are also shortcomings that can
interfere with learning. “Sometimes, other videos may appear on the TikTok homepage,
which can disturb learning, also the lack of Wifi capacity in the school, which ultimately
makes not all students able to connect to the Internet”. (s5) The final category analyzes the
impact that students feel after using TikTok media in their learning. This category considers
both the self-reported impact on individual students and the impact on the classroom as a
whole. For instance, a student reported. “After using TikTok educational videos, I have
noticed an increase in my personal interest in learning. Similarly, my friends have also
experienced a similar increase in interest, despite facing obstacles such as device and internet
connectivity issues”. (s1)
Discussion
The study found that TikTok has the potential to be a useful tool for English language
acquisition. Learners reported that by using the platform, they were able to communicate
more clearly and increase their vocabulary. The TikTok application contains a wide variety of
interesting content, ensuring that users do not become bored. Additionally, users can easily
find content that meets their needs at any time and in any location (Maya & Susi, 2023). The
use of educational content providers on TikTok is more engaging than traditional approaches
such as textbooks. This is because the content is relatable and easily understood. One student
reported feeling more personally interested in learning English after watching TikTok's
instructional videos, indicating that the site can promote a supportive learning environment
(Purbaningrum & Andrini, 2023).
However, the results of the study also indicate certain limitations. TikTok videos are
brief and visually appealing, which can impede learning when educational content is
interrupted by non-educational content. Furthermore, The utilization of TikTok for the
purpose of studying English is impeded by a number of factors, including the potential for
internet network issues and the necessity of paying internet quota fees. (Cahyono & Perdhani,
2023) students may encounter difficulties using TikTok for educational purposes due to
unreliable internet connections and the wifi use in school.
On a positive note, TikTok seems to be a promising addition to the English learning
process, especially in terms of vocabulary building, as students will learn not only the
meaning in English but also how the word is pronounced and used in sentences. However, it
is crucial to acknowledge the constraints of this instrument in order to guarantee a
comprehensive learning experience.
Conclusion
The use of educational videos on the TikTok app to enhance students' vocabulary has
yielded encouraging outcomes. The incorporation of TikTok educational videos not only
introduces students to novel vocabulary but also imparts knowledge about the words' usage
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in everyday life and their pronunciation. The educational content of the stickers is readily
accessible and comprehensible, thereby fostering students' intrinsic motivation to learn
independently. Nevertheless, the utilization of video-educational stickers in the classroom
necessitates further discussion due to the potential distraction caused by non-educational
content that is marked by students. This research can be further developed in future studies
with a more focused approach or utilized to contribute to the advancement of general
knowledge.
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