T1 - 112016013 - Full Text
T1 - 112016013 - Full Text
Sarjana Pendidikan.
112016013
2020
GENERATION Z ENGLISH MAJOR PROGRAM STUDENTS’
OPINION TOWARD SOCIAL MEDIA IN EFL LEARNING
The thesis is submitted in partial fulfillment of
Sarjana Pendidikan.
112016013
2020
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COPYRIGHT STATEMENT
This thesis contains no such material as has been submitted for examination in
any course or accepted for the fulfillment of any degree or diploma in any
university. To best of my knowledge and belief, this contains no material
previously published or written by any other person except where due reference is
made in text.
All rights reserved. No part of this thesis may be reproduced by any means
without the permission of at least one of the copyright owners or the English
Language Education Program, Faculty of Language and Arts, Universitas Kristen
Satya Wacana, Salatiga.
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TABLE OF CONTENT
COPYRIGHT STATEMENT .......................................................................... iv
PUBLICATION AGREEMENT DECLARATIONError! Bookmark not
defined.
TABLE OF CONTENT .................................................................................... vi
LIST OF TABLE ............................................................................................. vii
ABSTRACT ....................................................................................................... 1
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................. 1
LITERATURE REVIEW .................................................................................. 3
THE STUDY ...................................................................................................... 8
Context of the Study ....................................................................................... 8
Participants..................................................................................................... 9
Instruments ................................................................................................... 10
Data Collecting Procedures .......................................................................... 10
Analyzing Data Procedures .......................................................................... 11
FINDING AND DISCUSSION ........................................................................ 12
Students’ Use of Social Media ...................................................................... 12
Social Media in Classroom ........................................................................... 19
Social Media in EFL Learning ..................................................................... 24
Social Media in Future EFL Learning ........................................................ 29
CONCLUSION ................................................................................................ 35
REFERENCES ................................................................................................ 38
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ............................................................................... 41
APPENDIX ...................................................................................................... 42
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LIST OF TABLE
Table 1. Participants’ Data ................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Table 2. Social Media Definition .......................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Table 3. Varieties of Social Media ........................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
Table 4. Time Consumed While Using Social Media for Learning and Non-
Learning Purposes .................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Table 5. Participants’ Who Use Social Media for Learning Purposes .......Error!
Bookmark not defined.
Table 6. Preference for Collecting Material.......... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Table 7. Response toward Classes That Applies Social MediaError! Bookmark
not defined.
Table 8. Participants’ Expectation .................................................................. 23
Table 9. EFL Learners’ On Using Social Media for language Learning ..Error!
Bookmark not defined.
Table 10. EFL Learners’ Explanation on the Way Social Media Improving
Proficiency .............................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Table 11. Skill That Can Be Acquired By Using Social Media as Language
Learning.................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Table 12. Preference When Using Social Media for EFL Learning ............Error!
Bookmark not defined.
Table 13. Choosing Between Attending EFL Class, or Learning through Social
Media ...................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Table 14. Benefit of Social Media for EFL Learning Classroom ................Error!
Bookmark not defined.
Table 15. Participants’ Reason for Agree/Disagree with the Benefits .............. 30
Table 16. Participants’ Potential Social Media ....... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Table 17. Gen Z on Suggestion for People to learn EFL Using Social Media
................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
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GENERATION Z ENGLISH MAJOR PROGRAM STUDENTS’
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
communities. Decades after social media was created, its form and type have
developed into more than just an online communication tool. The utilities of
Social media are getting varied, and so does the user‟s social media discovery
range of age. Particularly in Indonesia, Social media is also commonly used from
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an early stage until elders. Furthermore, the majority of Indonesian are among the
most avid Social Media users in the world. The highest rate belongs to the age of
a group of 18-24 years old at 43 % (Djenar 2014, p.166). Djenar (2014) data
proved that this group had the highest exposure and usability rate of social media.
Nowadays, this group of ages has its terminology known as Generation Z (Gen
Z).
Indonesia Gen Zs are proficient users of Social media; in fact, they already
put social media as their basic needs. Their reliance on these online
These so-called “digital natives” create the existence of the online community,
where the English language in real-life contexts will be applicable (Sockett and
Toffoli, 2012, p.213). Since social media is a part of the internet, English
eventually becomes the universal language of it. Moreover, knowing that Gen Z
had their reliance on social media, their English learning needs to be explored
further.
EFL studies, learning through social media is relatively new in language learning.
Surprisingly, there are teachers, especially those who focus on EFL, who see
“even though social media is not directly intended for educational purposes, it has
drawn attention from EFL teachers since it serves as an educational tool within the
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cannot impose an idea that teachers agree to apply social media in their EFL
teaching.
language learning by Gen Z learners‟ taking English major in college. The writer
collects opinions that give possible potentials and drawbacks of using social
media in the EFL learning context as an option on language learning for the
program study. Finally, the writer down to the research question: What are ELE
and ELL program students‟ opinions for using social media as a language-learning
option?
LITERATURE REVIEW
Social media is a part of the internet that facilitates users to let them share
their ideas, thoughts, and resourceful information with each other in an instant.
common interests, experiences, ideas, and feelings over the Internet or other
may leverage social media, forums, and blogs” (p16). It includes a meaning that
and sharing place for such information and ideas (Boyd and Ellison, 2007, p.211).
and Haenlein (2010) that social media have a spectrum that differs them into five
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categories: Social Media Platforms, Blogs and Microblogs, Collaborative
Projects, Content Communities, and Virtual Social World (Kaplan and Haenlein,
2010, p61-62). Each spectrum has its features that make Facebook, Twitter,
YouTube, WhatsApp, and Instagram, not put under the same umbrella. Further
acceptable option for assisting EFL learning. It appears that the majority still
cannot see social media as their learning option or recognize learning EFL
From student perspectives, they are starting to expect the teacher to apply
social technologies to align with social practices (Kessler, 2018, p206). Knowing
how high demanding the learner generation is on the use of social media in the
classroom shows that social media influence is so vast, it also reaches language
learning territory and cannot be avoided (Li, 2017, p.148). Li‟s (2017) idea carries
Regardless, social media remains in the gray area since there are so many aspects
degree. The current college students are mainly born in 1995 at the least, which is
those who exist in the starting era of Gen Z. Gen Z, born after 1995, who is still to
come into the workforce. Still, they tend to be digital natives, quick decision-
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makers, and highly connected (Cilliers, 2017, p190). They are born in a globally
the internet for finding an answer instead of asking the teacher or prefer to ask
their peers and teachers indirectly through an online message such as WhatsApp.
Gen Z's traits as learners tend to be more flexible, less time-consuming time to
finish their tasks. Shatto and Erwin (2016) views on Gen Z student:
More than any of the current generations, Generation Z students learn by observation and
practice, not by reading and listening to PowerPoint presentations. Their affinity to
Google information is remarkable; however, their ability to critique the validity of this
information may be lacking. (p.253)
Shatto and Erwin‟s (2016) perspective represents how Gen Z cannot withstand a
The reliance on technology, in general, disrupts their attention and decreases their
focus on the main picture (Duse and Duse, 2016, p.6). Thus, it will be the biggest
issue for the teacher to face Gen Z in the classroom. Gen Z will fill the classroom
sooner or later, and their demand to put their natural virtual environment to the
early reminder for teachers that the learning environment has changed, and
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Social media in EFL learning
acceptable social media applied in language learning. Some scholars were trying
to find credibility in the use of social media in EFL learning. Blattner and Fiori
(2009) are conducting the possibilities that Facebook has in the Language
popularity can make it get a positive response from students just by being
implemented in the classroom. Blattner and Fiori (2009) agree that “Facebook has
Twitter has relevance, is quick to use learning tools, having a distinct style and
(2012) concluding statement was, “Twitter is able to emphasize that using Twitter
in foreign language learning can be very innovative and effective as long as its use
by the teachers and students both for educational and personal aim appropriately”
(p.4).
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The first two social media that have been stated earlier are what came from
a group of blogs/microblogs type of social media. The next researcher will mainly
focus on social media that makes a virtual social world, such as WhatsApp. A
researcher from Malaysia, Binti Mistar, and Embi (2016) is researching students'
conducting the research and practice, their findings were that students showed
and helps them improve it (Binti Mistar and Embi, 2016, p.102). Binti Mistar and
Embi (2016) conclude their research with encouragement for the future teacher to
Liliia and Gulnara (2016) from Kazan Federal University, Russia, are
researching the use of Instagram in the EFL classroom. Briefly, Instagram shares
a similar trait with YouTube as content communities‟ kind of social media with
more social functions like a direct message and more inclusive narrowed circles
Students make up the bulk of social networks, which means that they familiarize
themselves with the settings and various special functions. We consider that young
people using mobile applications for educational purposes feel comfortable in a virtual
environment. All his attention is focused on the content, rather than on technical issues.
Therefore, the popularity of the application might encourage university students to learn
EFL. (p.6156)
They also have numerous reasons to see Instagram as favorable social media as
EFL learning tools like the popularity, the short videos, and the absence of a pause
remarkably good result, the result shows that Instagram is beneficial for EFL
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learners to improve their listening comprehension skills, and students mentioned
the possibility to learn the English language with Instagram anytime and anyplace
(Liliia and Gulnara, 2016, p.6160). These researchers who prove social media can
and possibly implemented are experts that see the social media is plausible to
replacement where their cooperation works as source and filters (Sockett and
THE STUDY
This qualitative study of social media in EFL learning aimed to find the
targeted focus group‟s opinion towards the use of Social Media in language
learning. Various experts' studies towards the use of social media in EFL learning
have been lamented as the framework of this research. Thus, the social media used
for this research are Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, WhatsApp, and Instagram.
The research was conducted in the Faculty of Language and Art, English
UKSW Salatiga. The purpose of choosing the English Language major program in
UKSW was that their students fulfilled the requirement for being Gen Z active
English Learners, and using social media, which were resourceful as a target of
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Participants
who were at the time the research conducted, taking the ELE and English
following:
Batches
Major Gender Age
2017 2018 2019
>21 2 - -
21 17 1 1
20 4 9 -
Female
19 - 2 9
18 - - 3
English Language Education
17 - - 1
Program
>21 - 3 -
(ELEP)
21 3 1 -
20 3 1 -
Male
19 - - 4
18 - - 1
17 - - -
>21 1 - -
21 - - -
20 - 8 -
Female
19 - 1 6
18 - - 1
English Language Literature
17 - - -
Program
>21 1 1 -
(ELLP)
21 - 1 -
20 - 2 1
Male
19 - - 1
18 - - 1
17 - - -
Total 31 30 29
90 Participants
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From each batch 2019, 2018, and 2017, the questionnaire was broadcasted
and shared through a personal and online group chat. The participants also
required having and being able to operate social media, suggested having at least
Instruments
consisting of Open and Close-Ended questions. It is separated into four parts with
a total of 26 questionnaire items. The first focus was Students‟ use of social media
that aimed Gen Z learners‟ proficiency in using social media. Then, the second
media used in the classes. The next focus was social media in EFL learning to
collect evidence and opinion on how social media could apply in EFL learning.
The last one was the Social media future in EFL learning to collect Gen Z
learners‟ voices and ideas for social media in future EFL learning.
The writer collected data for the research by creating a set of questions for
the questionnaire. Before starting the data collecting, the writer conducted a
piloting session to check the validity of the questionnaire items. The writer began
the piloting session on June 29th, 2020, and finished on July 2nd, 2020. The
participants of the piloting session were 47 college students of the 2016 batch.
The piloting questionnaire was shared using the Google form link sent through
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The result of the piloting session was satisfying and proved the
were several things from the piloting session that needed to be mentioned. First, it
appeared that YouTube was more appealing than LINE. Thus, social media that
was chosen by the writer was changed. Furthermore, there was minor focus
confusion between the writer targeted social media and social media, specifically
adjustment and revision finished. The collecting data session was begun on July
10th, 2020, and completed on July 15th, 2020. Participants' data for this research
participants that worked on the questionnaire had at least one Social Media. They
also were able to follow the writer instruction and filled in the required
questionnaire item.
and put into the respective category, namely „focus‟. Participants‟ answers for
each questionnaire item were available in the shape of the data result of Table;
some of the participants' responses were also displayed for evidence. Regardless,
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FINDING AND DISCUSSION
The first focus of the questionnaire is mainly based on Boyd and Ellison
(2007) along with Seaman and Tinti-Kane (2013) definition of social media in the
framework. The first questionnaire item no. 6, “In your own understanding, what
is social media?” response occurrences are displayed along with the experts‟
definitions in Table 2.
Information and Knowledge”, within 32 out of 90 (26%) occurrences, and the rest
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Participant 45:
” social media is a tool to help me understand everything around with interaction to gain
knowledge.”
Participant 64:
“Social media is a technology that shares information, ideas, career interests, and other
forms of expression through communities and virtual networks.”
devices just like the way it was supposed to be, but their digital natives influence
also makes them precieve social media as their sourc of information and
knowledge, and their facilities to share their ideas. Following Boyd and Ellison‟s
devices. It is mainly caused by how social media was first introduced in society,
and this has been the most common understanding, not only for Gen Z but people
draws out Gen Z characteristics explained by Shatto and Erwin (2016) where they
prefer to dig the information for themselves as they are seeking flexibility. The
other Gen Z characteristics also indicated in the “facilities to sharing ideas and
common interest” definition where Chilliers (2017) mentioned that Gen Zs are
Questionnaire item no. 7 asked what social media participants owned. Based on
Blattner and Fiori (2009), Harmandaoglu (2012), Binti Mistar and Embi (2016),
and Liliia and Gulnara (2016) research; Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Instagram,
and Youtube, are the commonly used social media by Generation Z that also
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Table 3. Varieties of Social Media
use?” table 3 shows, participants‟ have at least 4 out of 5 social media that have
been served in the item option by the writer. WhatsApp occurred in 87 out of 90
Facebook is social media available in the item option to be unlikely to have lesser
favor by only 62 out of 90 participants chose it. The writer also prepared an
additional choice to see whether other social media in favor and turn out 8
Blog, Snapchat, Reddit) is a compilation of social media that only appears once in
additional options.
As seen by the result, the Kaplan and Haenlein (2010) Spectrum of social
media, “Virtual Social World” social media, such as WhatsApp, has the biggest
questionnaire item no.6, Communication Device for Virtual Communities had the
most occurrences. The other relating evidence between questionnaire item no. 7
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and no.6 is shown on participants‟ second-highest favor social media appears to
be “Content Communities” type of social media like Instagram with its explore
features and YouTube with the recommendation video that help them as Source of
their Knowledge and Information just like the second definition stated in
questionnaire item no.6. Twitter with its Thread and Facebook Status Update Post
commonly used by the user to voice their opinion and find people with similar
not a stretch to say that the Facility to Sharing Ideas and Common Interest
definition in item no. 6 could fitly describe the last two social media.
The writer separated participants‟ time of using social media for learning
purposes and non-learning purposes into questionnaire item no.8 “How long do
you use social media in a day?” and no. 11 “How long do you use social media for
studying in a day?” The questions intended to see how Gen Z learners as “digital
Table 4. Time Consumed While Using Social Media for Learning and Non-
Learning Purposes
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As shown in Table 4, the most common time used for non-learning
supported by Shatto and Erwin (2016) when they said, “Generation Z students
spend an average 9 hours per day on their cell phones” (p.253). While for learning
participants. The findings, regardless of the number of participants‟ show that Gen
Z learners spend more time on social media for entertainment, and only a small
amount of time was spent on learning purposes. The findings are in line with
Shatto and Erwin's (2016) statement that “Gen Z individuals only have 8-second
attention span down from 12 seconds for Millenials” (p.253) where they cannot
no. 9 “Do you use social media for learning purposes?” and no. 10 “What is your
reason(s) for answer number 9 question?”, were made to see if the data from
Yes 82 91%
No 8 9%
Total 90 100%
From Table 5, the writer found that 82 participants‟ (91%) are used social
media for learning purposes. The writer found three variations from item no. 10
for those who are using Social media for learning. 42 out of 82 participants (44%)
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why they use social media for learning. Along with the earlier statement, “Study
participants‟ (22%) in their responses. The writer picked three answers from
Information Provider
Participant 18:
“Because most of the assignments are distributed via WA. I sometimes learn new
vocabulary from twitter or instagram since I follow some accounts who use english or
share about english learning”
Study Assistance
Participant 33:
“I use social media for learning purposes to communicate/ask with friends or lecturers
when find difficulties in learning, do task in group with friends via WA, share writing for
the media assignments in IG.”
Self-improvement
Participant 55:
Karena untuk meningkatkan skil listening dan speaking saya, saya menggunakan youtube
untuk meningkatkan skil tersebut.
In order to enhance my listening and speaking skill, I use YouTube to improve those
skills I mentioned earlier.
According to the statements above shows that, students still see social
media as unofficial tools for learning assistance like using WhatsApp as place to
distributing material, or their share their assignments‟ and discussion online . Gen
Z social media of choice and the higher frequencies of use might reflect their
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Media as their assistance, practice, and informational tool instead of as their
alternative learning option. This may be the reason why 1-5 hours response in
questionnaire no. 11 mostly favored since they only apply Social Media when
they need.
For 8 (9%) participants‟ who choose not to use social media for learning
purposes, item no. 10 shows their reason is Personal Preferences and Necessity.
Participant 68:
“Well, it is 50:50 sometimes I use social media for just relaxing and see something funny,
and see some other writing in English but sometimes when I open them I fine something
new and I learn about that, and now I often use social media to look for some references
for my work”
Participants' reason indicates that even if they are not interested in learning using
social media, there are circumstances and unavoidable situations where they have
to, whether participants like it or not, learn using social media. The findings are
what Rieder (2003) stated as incidental learning, defined as the process of picking
are not using Social Media for learning purposes are experiencing incidental
learning since they will get exposed to English when using Social Media.
The first focus findings are as defined by Cilliers' (2017), where Gen Z
cannot separate themselves from technologies because they are born to be “digital
natives” and had high frequencies of applying it in daily activities. Their traits for
being flexible and highly connected also made them define social media just like
Experts perceive. Furthermore, in this focus, the writer saw that Gen Z still spend
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roughly 3 hours of their time in social media for learning because they have not
seen social media as a learning option. Instead, their perspectives on social media
were mere tools for assisting and improving their EFL studies (Baſöz, 2016,
p.436).
The second focus intends to see Gen Z participants‟ interest in the existing
social media in the classroom. The first questionnaire item for this focus, no. 12
“if you asked to collect material for your study, from the option below which
would be your choice(s)?” was made to see if participants‟ still prefer the
Go to library 15 7%
“Browsing the Internet'' still becomes the most chosen option when it came to
looked for the material that occurs 89 out of 90 participants (41%) (Everyone) was
using it when it came to collected learning material. “Ask Friends using social
media '' was dominated 72 out of 90 times in participants‟ response (34%) than
“Ask Lecturer” and “Go to Library''. Both the classic customs were only favored
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by 38 (18%) and 15 (7%) out of 90 participants‟ responses. It Indicates
Generation Z learners‟ reliance on technologies is high, just like Duse and Duse
Questionnaire item no. 13 “Have you ever been in a class that applied
social media in their course as part of learning?” and item no. 14 “Based on your
answer for number 13, are you interested in having social media applied in your
No 3 2% 13 14%
From the displayed Table 7, the writer found 3 participants that have not
been experiencing a class that applies social media as part of learning and 13
participants (14%) who are uninterested in having a course that uses social media.
Even if it is only a small number, it still gave some effect on Cilliers' (2017)
statement in the framework where the virtual environment in the learning situation
Questionnaire item no. 15 asked about participants‟ reasons for their item
no. 14 answers. Therefore, the 77 responses that are interested in having courses
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that use social media will be divided into three different reasons. The first
Participant 17:
” Well, applying social media in our classroom is a good choice. It will be easier for the
student to get a soft copy ppt from the lecturer that have been sent in social media group,
the lecturer also will be easier to inform the student if they have to cancelled the class or
share another information, instead of message the student one by one, it will be saving
time”
The participants‟ representative answer indicated that the majority who was
interested in having a class that applied social media caused by their experience
and felt like they were given easy access and helped them in their learning
situation.
Participant 25:
“karena banyak siswa/mahasiswa sudah jarang tertarik dengan buku atau printed material.
fokus mendengarkan atau berkomunikasi dengan guru sulit untuk dilakukan. maka dari
itu, dengan adanya sosial media dalam pembelajaran di kelas, mungkin dapat
meningkatkan "students' interest" karena selain mereka untuk hiburan di tengah-tengah
kebosanan mereka, juga sebagai media untuk belajar. fun learning.”
“Because there are lesser college students who are taking interest in books and handouts.
Thus, it would make it difficult to listen and communicate with the lecturer. For that
reason, the existence of social media in the classroom might increase students‟ interest.
Other than being able to become pastime entertainment, it also becomes media for fun
learning.”
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The last reasons for interested participants are “Change of Pace or
support for the existence of social media in the classroom will give a better
Participant 79:
“When we using social media during class, I think it will make student feel excited and
not bored when they are studying. Social media really helpful for those who need when
they think they need more explanation about something that they don‟t understand.”
Both the second and third reason that occurs in item no. 15 indicates that social
social media had their reason for either being too complicated or unsuitable for
learning purposes. The evidence from participants‟ answers explained what they
meant.
Participant 14:
“In my opinions it's not appropriate, social media is the platform that people's is freely
express their self with the consideration of law in their country, and platforms to submit a
study is exist, there are many study platforms that looks like social media actually, so why
using social media like Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, ect, When you have that kinds of
platform.”
The last item is no. 16, is asking for participants' expectations on what-if
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Table 8. Participants’ Expectation
Participants‟ in Percentage
Participants‟ Expectation
Favour
The first one is a Better learning situation, which occurred 47 (44%) times from
84 participants‟ responses that have high hopes in social media to leverage the
condition of the current learning situation. While the second common expectation
engage students more in learning. And the third expectation is fully utilized
expectation here voiced Gen Z‟s wish for social media features actually being
applied in the classroom and to support the learning situation in the classroom.
Participant 63:
“It is my expectations if social media is applied in the classroom, it will be easier for
students to get information, understand the material presented by lecturers, and interact
with friends outside of campus.”
media also in order to progress in a course. Other than that, they already
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expressing desires for it being widely implemented, just like what Kessler (2018)
mentioned in the frameworks. Regardless, there is Gen Z who preferred not to put
Social Media in the regular classroom because it will just distract them.
In this part of the focus, the writer attempts to retrieve the opinion from
Gen Z participants regarding the use of social media in EFL learning, who is
eventually this Gen Zs are taking English Major in college. The third focus aimed
to see the relevancy of Social Media in EFL learning when this research was in
progress.
Possible 87 98%
Impossible 3 2%
Total 90 100%
Table 9 displayed data from questionnaire item no. 17, “As an English
social media?” show that almost all participants (98%) said that social media for
EFL learning is possible. Participants‟ responses explanation for item no. 17 was
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Table 10. EFL Learners’ Explanation on the Way Social Media Improving
Proficiency
how social media could improve learners‟ proficiency. The majority of those who
provide material of any kind. It believes that it gives almost every possible
material the same as regular EFL class like the representative of the first
Participant 1:
“Yes, it is possible. When using social media, I can find something new for me. Then I
can improve my English proficiency through my curiosity in the particular part.”
and learning style variation, which occurred in 36 out of 77 (35%) agree‟ answer.
That indicates social media capable of providing a wide variety of tasks and
learning styles nearly the same as a regular classroom. For that reason, this
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Participant 68:
“Yes, it is possible. Well, until now I learn English from posts in the social media, like
writing, poem, or even meme. I learn new things from it. And I follow various accounts
that uses English on their post. So, sometimes I learn English from their typed language.
Yes, it is possible for me to improve my English Language”
media optimizes learning time. The result shows that participants agree on social
media in EFL learning could be saving time and increasing efficiency. The
Participant 76:
“Because it's easier now to learn social media, and it can be learned at any time or any
place, indefinitely”
improvement that stated by 4 participants. This explanation points out that social
media can only improve the English language if the individual can apply it. the
Participant 64:
“Not really, because sometimes some student is lazy and open the other things on their
phone.”
The result from the earlier item had 77 participants agree and able to
explain their reason that social media could improve proficiency. Thus, the
questionnaire items no. 19 “Which skill do you think you will get by using social
media for language learning?” results displayed what the skills that could be
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Table 11. Skill That Can Be Acquired By Using Social Media as Language
Learning
Vocabulary 82
Listening 69
Writing 62
Reading 61
Grammar 53
Speaking 53
occur within 82 out of 90 participants‟ are in favor, which might be related to the
highest common reason from questionnaire item no. 18 where Gen Z EFL learners
believe that social media could improve proficiency through providing material.
Within this opportunity to gain more material, it let learners expose themselves to
occurrences might have done because the majority of social media served the
participants' answers. Shatto and Erwin (2016) mentions that that the prosperity of
technology makes readings less favorable (Shatto and Erwin, 2016, p.254), which
is probably the reason why reading skills do not appear in most participants'
answers. With the tie as the lowest score, grammar and speaking skills were the
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Two questionnaire items will become a closure for the third focus; these
items collect Gen Z learners' preferences when using social media in EFL
learning. Table 12 displays the questionnaire item no. 20 “Would you prefer using
Table 12. Preference When Using Social Media for EFL Learning
Individually 48 53%
In Classroom 42 47%
Total 90 100%
And table no 13 will display questionnaire item no. 21, “Would you prefer having
Classroom 66 74%
Individually 24 26%
Total 90 100%
Table 12 gives the result that the questionnaire item no. 20 responses
showed that more than half of the participants (53%) preferred to use Social media
for learning individually. This result was the complete opposite of what Kessler
(2018) stated that Gen Zs expect social media to be applied in the classroom
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participants‟ still preferred attending EFL classes rather than doing self-study
For the third focus conclusion, the majority of participants are still
enjoying having regular classes instead of the virtual ones. Regardless of how
much benefit explained by experts in the literature review, how EFL learners have
when using it accordingly (Trinder, 2017, p.410). Apparently, most Gen Z have
not taken an interest in Social Media as a learning option, they still prefer to put it
The last focus, Social Media in the Future EFL Learning, sees Gen Z
English majors‟ learner opinion and suggestions for social media future in EFL
learning. The first questionnaire for this section is Item no. 22 “Do you think
social media in the English language learning classroom are beneficial for
YES 79 88%
NO 11 12%
Total 90 100%
Table 14 shows (88%) of participants who see social media are beneficial for the
EFL learning classroom. Regardless, the (12%) rest cannot agree to say that social
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media is up for the EFL learning classroom. The next questionnaire item no. 23,
“If you answer yes in the earlier question, explain the benefits. if you answer no,
from their perspective about social media benefits and drawbacks for EFL
learning classrooms.
Participants‟ first reason for social media is beneficial for the EFL learning
The result indicates that Gen Zs perceive social media as EFL learning assistance
tools. Yet, the second group saw social media in EFL learning as a better option
means they prefer to learn EFL through social media than letting social media
collaborate with the regular class. The last benefit stated by 18 out of 86 (21%)
appeared in participants‟ was a Classroom substitute, just like what Shatto and
disagree had their reason for using social media for EFL learning is too
complicated and will take time to adapt. They are the Gen Zs‟ who are not
30
expecting a change in the learning environment dissolved with a virtual world,
unlike what Cilliers (2017) stated in her research where Gen Z will start to expect
that their classroom environment will become similar with the virtual world
The writer tried to see which of the five social media mentioned in the
frameworks by experts, which are the most potential ones to be the Gen Z EFL
learning option.
YouTube 76
WhatsApp 35
Instagram 31
Twitter 16
Facebook 15
Table 16 data shows the most to the least preferred social media. Thus,
questionnaire item no. 25 was made to see the reason why YouTube was the most
popular choice by 76 out of 90 respondents, and Facebook was the least favorable
YouTube
Participant 79:
“I think all social media can help us in learning English, it depends on the person
which social media that they like. But I think the most potential social media Is
YouTube because we can directly learn about listening, pronunciation, vocabulary
etc.”
31
As said by Shatto and Erwin (2017), “there are a myriad of videos available-some
more appropriate than others” (p.26) that makes YouTube as a source of material
for EFL learning. No wonder all previous questionnaire items participants keep
having the source of material in their reasoning. These results answer why, in
Table 11, speaking, and grammar skills have the lowest favor since YouTube is a
represent Gen Z in general since there are participants who said they disagree in
table 10 earlier stated Tools do not affect proficiency improvement. This one-way
vocabulary skills, but there is the chance of writing skills if the reply system
includes.
The questionnaire item no. 26 was the last questionnaire item in the fourth
focus. The item asked Gen Z about them being “agents of change” for EFL
English.
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Table 17. Gen Z on Suggestion for People to learn EFL Using Social Media
Participants‟ responses in item no. 26 that are available in Table 17, are divided
into agree and disagree, and further grouped based on their reason. Participants
that suggest using social media as a language learning option will be grouped into
four different reasons. The Majority of Gen Zs‟ of 23 out of 78 agreed answers
suggest people use social media for learning because it saves time and resources.
This reasonable statement might be caused by how fast the digital age was; they
need to learn efficiently (Shatto and Erwin, 2017, p27), and social media can be
seen as able to serve the fast-paced learning need of these Gen Z participants.
Shatto and Erwin (2017) also already stated that “Gen Zs‟ are engaged with
sophisticated technology and more accustomed to use it” (p. 27) makes “being
already accustomed to social media” become the second commonly stated reason
participants that said social media could boost EFL learners‟ confidence in
advancing their skills. This might imply the 53 occurrences that favor speaking
and 62 for writing in Table 11, whereas the output skill can be obtained from
33
using social media as a learning option. 9 out of 78 occurrences stated that it is
possible to become assistance or substitute for the EFL classroom, giving them an
representative.
Participants 12:
Jika mereka mau belajar inggris dengan mandiri kurasa menggunakan social media
adalah langkah awal yg baik karena cukup efektif, banyak yg sudah terbiasa
menggunakan sosmed dan mereka pasti sudah enjoy dengan kebiasaan tersebut juga. Jika
menggunakannya untuk platform belajar dalam kelas, jika komunikasi bisa berjalan
dengan baik, menggunakan sosmed juga membuat pembelajaran menjadi efektif.
If someone intended to start learning English independently, I guess using social media is
a good start. Other than that, they should be already accustomed and enjoy the process of
using it. If they intended to use social media in a course, as long as there is good
communication and understanding, it will make the lesson effectively improved.
Gen Z, who disagree, believes that social media is not for learning and did
not provide as much as EFL classroom. For them, there is no chance for social
media to recommend it as an option for learning, especially those who are easily
distracted like Gen Z learners (Duse and Duse, 2016, p.7). This was stated by 2
Participant 16:
Yes, if you are not an "easy distracted" person because social media app could be
distracting for some students
Participant 89:
Sepertinya sampai saat ini tidak , karna masih dibilang memiliki sistem yang belum
memadahi dan mencukupi .
I think it is now for now, because social media have not had sufficient features to do so.
34
As the final focus, where the writer seeks the future of social media in EFL
learning, the findings hint at a chance. The Majority of the Gen Zs' believe that
YouTube has the most potential EFL learning option as it was a content
research still puts social media as a tool that can be operated in the class instead of
acknowledging the possibility of learning through social media itself (Sockett and
Toffoli, 2012, p.215). But in this research, the majority of Gen Zs‟ are suggesting
the use of social media in EFL learning with a convincing reason that indicates
they are open and supporting the shift of social media from EFL learning tool to
learning option.
CONCLUSION
opinions for using social media as a language learning option. The writer was
trying to find any possible potential and drawbacks from using it in the language
research is that they are proficient users of social media well-known as “digital
year, and that will provide more insights on the current and even future directions
overlooked in language teaching (Kessler, 2018, p.2). Therefore, the voice of Gen
Zs‟ will become a consideration of how much they favor social media as a
35
Four focuses were made on the findings to help the writer answer the
research question. The first focus on Gen Zs' use of social media clearly shows
Participants from this research apparently perceive social media as facilitation and
tool assistance. They only use social media in a classroom solely as facilitators
(Best, Manktelow, and Taylor, 2014, p.34). The next focus of social media in the
classes showed Gen Z's high reliance on social media in their studies. In line with
Cilliers (2017) research, they expect their demands to be fulfilled in the learning
environment to notice the presence of the virtual world where they belong. The
third focus that centered on social media in EFL learning shows Gen Zs‟ disregard
for the option to apply social media as a language learning option. They enjoyed
regular classes more than what Shatto and Erwin (2016) said to be “self-taught
learners” who are craving for modernity regardless of several benefits mentioned
by experts in the frameworks. The last focus aims to find the social media future
in EFL learning. Even though Gen Z are currently comfortable having regular
classes, they actually do not mind letting social media be part of EFL learning.
With the advancement and variety of social media, they are openly admitting the
option. The majority of Gen Zs‟ is ready to be the agent of change for EFL studies
conclusion, Gen Z is a digital native that can fully operate social media to help
them in EFL learning as assistance. Yet they cannot perceive social media as their
EFL learning option. Regardless, they still give opportunities for Social Media in
36
the future to become an EFL learning option and mostly believe that social media
virtual learning with which they are more familiar in terms of applying it. There
are two suggestions from the writer for consideration to help the current teachers
and Gen Z English majors‟ learners regarding Social Media in EFL learning. For
the current EFL teachers facing Gen Zs‟ learners, this is the opportunity to be
creative and encourage them to accept social media in the learning. These learners
are digital natives that are proficient in this field, going through their study with
social media as their helping tools, and yet to explore the possibility of it being a
language learning option. For future teachers, it is suggested that you need to
explore other social media benefits that have not been discovered and observe
more variety of social media outside than 5 social media mentioned in this
research. Because teaching using social media has been supported by many
experts and mostly proven to be effective. Furthermore, the next generation will
There are several limitations to this research. First, this research is only
conducted in one city in Indonesia. Then, there is only one university and one
faculty chosen by the writer. The third limitation was the total of participants was
37
need to expand the range of social media varieties, with more participants in
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Boyd, D. M., & Ellison, N. B. (2007). Social network sites: Definition, history,
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Cilliers, E. (2017). The challenge of teaching generation Z. PEOPLE:
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Duse, C. S., & Duse, D. M. (2016). The teacher of the generation Z. The
Academy, 1-9
Kaplan, A., & Haenlein, M. (2010). Users of the world, unite! The challenges and
10.1016/j.bushor.2009.09.003
10.18178/ijlt.
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Liliia, K., & Gulnara, G. (2016). Mobile technologies in teaching English as a
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Seaman, J., & Tinti-Kane, H. (2013). Social media for teaching and learning.
Shatto, B., & Erwin, K. (2016). Moving on from millennials: Preparing for
Shatto, B., & Erwin, K. (2017). Teaching Millennials and Generation Z: Bridging
10.1891/1078-4535.23.1.24
Sockett, G., & Toffoli, D. (2012). Beyond learner autonomy: A dynamic systems
doi: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.02.042
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Sockett, G., & Toffoli, D. (2013). University teachers‟ perceptions of Online
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I thank myself to Father in Heaven, His Son, and the Holy Spirit for the
thorough protection Thy gave me when I was working on this research. Also big
and my second reader Bu Yustina Priska Kisnanto, S.Pd., M.Hum., for their time
finished this research and made a satisfying result. Big love to my number one
supports, my parents and brother, who are always with me going through
everything in my life. Big love for My Girlfriend Jessica; and someone special,
thanks to Arrian, Elisha, Hendrikus, Patrick, Rivaldo, Satria, and Verren for
41
APPENDIX
Questionnaire Items
I. Participant Identity
Answer: _________________
11/39201xxx)
Answer: ___________
3. I am…
A. Male
B. Female
A. <17
B. 17
C. 18
D. 19
E. 20
F. 21
G. >21
A. Yes
B. No
42
II. Students‟ use of social media
Answer:
____________________________________________________________
o Facebook
o Twitter
o WhatsApp
o YouTube
o Instagram
o Other: __________
A. <1 hour
B. 1-5 hours
C. 6-10 hours
D. 11-15 hours
E. 16-20 hours
F. >20 hours
A. Yes
B. No
43
10. What is your reason(s) for answer number 9 questions?
Answer:
____________________________________________________________
11. How long do you use social media for studying in a day?
A. <1 hour
B. 1-5 hours
C. 6-10 hours
D. 11-15 hours
E. 16-20 hours
F. >20 hours
12. If you are asked to collect material for your study, from the option below,
o Ask Lecturer
o Go to Library
o Other: ___________
44
13. Have you ever been in a class that applied social media in their course as
part of learning? (E.g. having class group chat, making a Facebook group,
A. Yes
B. No
14. Based on your answer for number 13, are you interested in having social
A. Yes
B. No
Answer:
____________________________________________________________
Answer:
____________________________________________________________
A. Yes
B. No
45
18. Do you think it is possible to improve your English language proficiency
Answer:
____________________________________________________________
19. Which skill do you think you will get by using social media for language
learning?
o Speaking
o Writing
o Grammar
o Reading
o Listening
o Vocabulary
20. Would you prefer using social media for EFL learning in a classroom or
individually?
A. In Classroom
B. Individually
21. Would you prefer having an EFL learning class, or learning through social
media?
A. Classroom
B. Social media
46
V. Social media future in EFL learning
22. Do you think social media in the EFL learning classroom are beneficial?
A. Yes
B. No
23. If you answer yes in the earlier question, explain the benefit(s), if you
Answer:
____________________________________________________________
24. Between Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, WhatsApp, and Instagram, which
option(s)?
o Facebook
o Twitter
o WhatsApp
o YouTube
o Instagram
o Other: __________
25. From your answer above, would you mind to explain your reason(s)?
Answer:
____________________________________________________________
26. Would you recommend or suggest people to use social media for learning
Answer:
____________________________________________________________
47