Secondary School Students' Perception of Utilizing Instagram to Learn English Vocabulary: A case Study

Abstract

Integrating social media platforms, particularly Instagram, into educational settings has garnered significant attention due to its potential for enhancing language learning, specifically vocabulary acquisition. This study aims to investigate the students' perceptions and utilization of Instagram's features specifically for English vocabulary acquisition. The study explores two key questions: Firstly, it seeks to understand students' perceptions regarding incorporating Instagram into their vocabulary learning process. Secondly, it aims to examine how students utilize the various features of Instagram to facilitate their vocabulary acquisition. The data is analyzed using a descriptive qualitative method, presented as the result of an interview transcript and document review. The result of the study shows that students have a positive perception of using Instagram for learning English. Participants expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to practice English in real-life contexts through posting, receiving feedback, and interacting with native speakers and other learners worldwide. This positive perception is further supported by their increased motivation, confidence, and sense of accomplishment in improving their language skills. The students also utilize the various features of Instagram such as Direct massages, caption, and post to facilitate their vocabulary acquisition.