EXPLORING THE USE OF TIKTOK AS SELF-REGULATED LEARNING MEDIUM FOR SPEAKING SKILL IN VOCATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

In the digital age, social media platforms have become potential tools for education, and this research specifically explores TikTok’s role in enhancing speaking skills. This study investigates the utilization of TikTok as a tool for learning speaking skills and identifies the associated challenges. This qualitative case study explores how students at Vocational High School (SMK) utilize TikTok to enhance their speaking skills and examines the associated challenges. Ten students from the 10th-grade Nursing Assistant program were purposefully selected for interviews, providing insights into their experiences with TikTok as a self- regulated learning tool for English language development.
The study examines how students interact with various features of the platform, such as the For You Page, search functions, reposting, following, liking, and saving videos. Despite the potential educational benefits, several obstacles hinder effective learning on TikTok. These include difficulties in practicing speaking due to the short-form video format, fast-paced speech, language barriers, distractions from unrelated content and advertisements, and technical issues like poor signal and connectivity. TikTok proved especially valuable in nursing assistant training by providing real-life scenarios that improved communication skills essential for patient care. It also fostered peer collaboration, allowing students to learn together and create a supportive learning environment. The research concludes with suggestions to optimize TikTok for educational purposes, recommending the development of targeted educational content, the introduction of language learning- specific features, and strategies to minimize distractions and technical disruptions. By addressing these challenges, TikTok can become a more effective and engaging platform for learning speaking skills.