Perceptions of English as a Foreign Language University Students of Using TikTok Videos to Learn English: A Case Study

Abstract

Social media platforms, such as TikTok, have turned into an instructional resource, especially in the context of hybrid education, which has become more widespread following the COVID-19 pandemic. A case study based on a sample of twelve (12) university students enrolled in the LM-1002 Integrated English II course at the University of Costa Rica, explored the benefits of using TikTok for vocabulary acquisition, understanding of grammar concepts and cultural aspects in both English and Spanish. The overall findings indicate that most respondents consider TikTok to be an effective visual and contextual tool for learning English, especially for vocabulary acquisition. Students also find value in using TikTok's algorithm to discover educational videos posted by instructors on their accounts, as well as searching independently for other relevant content. As a result, according to the data, using TikTok in conjunction with traditional classroom instruction is associated with improved vocabulary acquisition. It may also contribute to developing communication skills and provide students with a better understanding of different cultures. These findings suggest that faculty should consider including TikTok (or similar platforms) in their teaching in order to improve the English communication of their students.