ENGLISH STUDIES STUDENTS’ PERCEPTIONS OF USING TIKTOK TO INTERNALIZE ENGLISH-SPEAKING CULTURES

Abstract

"This study explores English Studies students' perceptions of using TikTok as a platform to internalize English-speaking cultures and examines its effectiveness as an educational tool for cultural learning. A mixed-methods approach was employed, utilizing a questionnaire consisting of sixteen items, including fifteen statements and one open-ended question. The study was conducted at the School of Foreign Languages, Western University, Vietnam, with 200 English Studies students from both mainstream and high-quality programs across four cohorts (47, 48, 49, and 50) participating in the study. The findings indicate that students expressed a positive perception of TikTok as a tool for understanding cultural content. Participants emphasized the engaging and relaxed atmosphere generated by TikTok, highlighting its convenience and flexibility in facilitating cultural learning. They also acknowledged the valuable role of content creators from English-speaking countries in providing cultural insights. Additionally, TikTok was recognized for bridging cultural knowledge gaps that are often overlooked in traditional classroom settings. Features such as comment sections, duet videos, and subtitles were also noted for their contribution to enhancing students' understanding of different cultures. These findings suggest that TikTok can serve as an effective educational tool for fostering cultural awareness among English Studies students.

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