THE INFLUENCE OF TIKTOK ON EFL STUDENTS’ PERCEPTIONS AND MOTIVATION IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNING

Abstract

The growing use of social media has transformed the way students learn English as a Foreign Language (EFL). Among various platforms, TikTok has emerged as a popular tool that provides engaging and accessible learning content. This study aimed to investigate students’ perceptions of TikTok as an English learning tool and examine its influence on their motivation to learn English. The study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques. Quantitative data were gathered through an online questionnaire, while qualitative data were obtained through semi-structured interviews with students. The findings revealed that students generally held positive perceptions of TikTok for English learning. Approximately 65%–80% of participants agreed that TikTok is useful, accessible, and easy to use for learning English. Students reported that TikTok helped them improve vocabulary, pronunciation, and language exposure through authentic and engaging content. In terms of motivation, around 70% of participants indicated that TikTok increased their interest and encouraged them to engage more actively in English learning activities. Interview results further showed that TikTok’s entertaining content, short-video format, and personalized recommendations contributed to a more enjoyable and flexible learning experience. Although some students identified distractions from non-educational content, the overall findings suggest that TikTok can serve as an effective supplementary learning resource that enhances both students’ perceptions and motivation in learning English.