THE EFFECT OF INSTAGRAM POPULARITY TO ENHANCE THE STUDENT'S CONFIDENCE IN SPEAKING ENGLISH

ABSTRACT

This thesis aims to investigate the impact of Instagram's popularity on increasing students' confidence in speaking English. With the increasingly widespread development of social media, this research uses qualitative methods through interviews to gain an in-depth understanding of the subjective experiences and perceptions of students who actively use Instagram. This research involved students with varying levels of popularity based on the number of more than 1000 followers, interactions in posts, and engagement in English language content on Instagram. Interviews via WhatsApp were conducted to explore how Instagram is a unique environment for language exposure, and community interaction which all contribute to increased confidence speaking English. The research results show a rich narrative about the role of Instagram as a visual and interactive space for language exploration. Participants expressed how exposure to diverse language content and interaction with a global audience positively influenced their comfort and confidence in speaking English. This research also explores the influence of feedback from peers, and the formation of supportive online communities in strengthening students' levels of self-confidence.