Exploring The Influence of TikTok on EFL Students’

Abstract

TikTok is a well-known, frequently used social media platform that has emerged in the Algerian society and has played a huge role in education, in which users can improve their speaking skills. The present study aims to explore the influence of TikTok on EFL student’s speaking skills on first year LMD students in the department of English, Yahia Fares University ofMedea. It is an attempt to explore the influence of TikTok on EFL students’ speaking skills and to analyze the first year LMD students’ perception towards TikTok application. To collect the relevant data on this topic, mixed method approach was adapted, a questionnaire was distributed online and answered by forty-six students, and a semi-structured interview was conducted to fourteen students whose conversations were recorded then transcribed using a mobile application in order to collect data. The resultsrevealed that the majority of participants show a great deal of interest in using TikTok to enhance their English language. In addition, students hold a positive perception toward using TikTok as a learning tool. Moreover, TikTok encourages EFL learners to learn the English language inan entertaining way in which it lowers theiranxiety while learning. Furthermore, it has been observed that TikTok has a great impact in influencing students’speaking skills due to their use of words and expressions that are known to be purely TikTok slang.