The Use of TikTok in Learning English Vocabulary at Junior High School

Gemala Ayu Pramesti, Ida Ayu Panuntun

Abstract


This research aimed to investigate how students use TikTok in learning English vocabulary and identify the TikTok features that support vocabulary learning at seventh-grade students of junior high school. The research design used in this research was a descriptive qualitative. The research data were collected from 30 seventh-grade students through close-ended questionnaires and interviews. Questionnaire and interview data were analyzed using descriptive qualitative analysis to identify students' perceptions and experiences in learning vocabulary through TikTok. The findings showed that TikTok helped students learn English vocabulary more effectively. Students preferred practical and contextual vocabulary that could be applied in daily communication. In addition, TikTok provided students with frequent exposure to English words and expressions through short and engaging videos. The findings also revealed that students used several strategies to understand and remember new vocabulary, such as replaying videos, writing down unfamiliar words, searching for meanings, and practicing vocabulary in conversations. This research concluded that TikTok was a useful tool for supporting English vocabulary learning at seventh-grade students.


Keywords


TikTok; English Vocabulary; Students’ Perceptions; Vocabulary Learning; Junior High School

Full Text:

PDF

References


Abidah, A. N. (2024). Students’ Perception on Utilizing TikTok Videos for Vocabulary Acquisition. 7(2), 104–115. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.18860/jeasp.v7i2.24418

Ain, A. H., & Kalisa, P. (2026). Student Perceptions : TikTok ’ s vs . Movies ’ Role in Vocabulary Acquisition. 11(1), 250–259. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.31004/jele.v11i1.1528

Alleid, G., Baureh, D., Ivane, M., & Neman, E. (2025). Learners ’ Perceptions of Social Media -Based Vocabulary Learning : Insights from TikTok , Instagram , and YouTube Users in an EFL Context. 10(6), 668–673. https://doi.org/10.31004/jele.v10i6.1742

Armelia, N., Sudamarji, I., Nuraini, H., Forsia, L., & Nirmala, N. (2024). Improving Students’ English Vocabulary Mastery Through the Learning Media “Card Games.” 8(1). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.31004/basicedu.v8i1.6898

Aspers, P., & Corte, U. (2021). What is Qualitative in Research. Qualitative Sociology, 44(4), 599–608. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11133-021-09497-w

Cantika, L. (2023). Improving Students Vocabulary Mastery by Using Tik-Tok Application for The Eight Graders of SMP Muhammadiyah 4 Metro. https://repository.metrouniv.ac.id/id/eprint/8754/1/SKRIPSI LILIS CANTIKA - 1801070041 - TBI.pdf

Dwipa, E., Khoirunisa, R. A. N., Al-Haqq, F. G., Aqilah, A. T., & Maulidya, R. A. (2024). The Implementation of TikTok as Medium for Learning of English Vocabulary: The Perspective of Department English Education Students. 10(1), 977–992. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.30605/onoma.v10i1.3280

Fadila, A., Umar, F., & Kurniawati, B. (2025). An Exploration of Students ’ Perspectives on the Use of Digital Media in English Language Learning at SMAN 10 Surabaya. 05(02), 261–269. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.24967/esp.v5i02.4459

Fitria, T. N. (2023). Using TikTok Application as an English Teaching Media: a Literature Review. 6(2), 109–124. https://doi.org/DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.20527/jetall.v6i2.16058

Furidha, B. W., & Sidoarjo, U. M. (2023). Comprehension of the Descriptive Qualitative Research Method : A Critical Assessment of the Literature. 2. https://doi.org/doi.org/10.56943/jmr.v2i4.443

Handayani, F., Jalwis, & Prahatmaja, N. (2024). The Role of Social Media as a Source of Academic Information for Students. 10(1), 103–111. https://doi.org/10.20473/rlj.V10-I1.2024.103-111.Open

Indah, C. H. R., & Suhartatik. (2025). TikTok as a Medium for Contextual Vocabulary Learning in EFL: Students’ Perceptions and Learning Experiences. 8, 268–273. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.33503/journey.v8i2.2341

Marselina, P., Ayu, C., & Hardi, V. A. (2024). An Analysis on Students’ Difficulties in Mastering Vocabulary. 9(2), 22–31. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.31004/jele.v9i2.279

Matyadi, Riyoko, E., & Hera, T. (2024). The Use of Tiktok Application as the Learning Medium. 29–39. https://brightnessjournalyrcp.com/index.php/brightness/article/view/7/3

Nation, P. (2001). Learning Vocabulary in Another Language.

Nur, S., Mohd, H., Yaacob, A., Abdullah, S. S., Suryani, I., & Rahim, A. (2025). Connecting the dots: bibliometric trends in vocabulary teaching and technology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44217-025-00853-4

Siedlecki, S. L. (2020). Understanding Descriptive Research Designs and Methods. February, 8–12. https://doi.org/10.1097/NUR.0000000000000493

Sugiyono, P. D. (2017). Metode Penelitian Kuantitatif, Kualitatif, dan R&D.

Sugiyono, P. D. (2019). Metode Penelitian Kuantitatif, Kualitatif, dan R&D.

Villamin, P., Lopez, V., Thapa, D. K., & Cleary, M. (2025). A Worked Example of Qualitative Descriptive Design : A Step Guide for Novice and Early Career Researchers. 5181–5195. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.16481

Waruwu, F., Daeli, H., Telaumbanua, Y. A., & Telaumbanua, K. M. E. (2023). Increasing The Student’s Vocabulary Mastery Through How Special Am I Game of The Tenth Grade SMK Negeri 1 Gunungsitoli in 2022/2023. 14(2), 1117–1123. https://doi.org/10.47200/aoej.v14i2.1985




DOI: https://doi.org/10.31004/jele.v11i4.2653

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Copyright (c) 2026 Gemala Ayu Pramesti, Ida Ayu Panuntun

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.