BEHAVIORAL ENGAGEMENT OF STUDENTS IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT USING WHATSAPP AS A LEARNING TOOL

Abstract

As a free, secure, and reliable instant messaging and voice/video calling app worldwide, WhatsApp allows users to send texts, photos, videos, documents, and location information over an internet connection, using end-to-end encryption for security.

            WhatsApp has been extensively used by many English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers in Indonesia as a near synchronous online learning platform. This program enables users to make announcements, exchange ideas and learning materials, and participate in online debates. Some recent publications inform its utilization in learning language, yet little discusses how students engage in the learning activities. Therefore, to fill this void, the present study aims to investigate the students' behavioral engagement during online learning using WhatsApp. To collect the data, this study employed observation and semi- structured interviews. An observation was completed in one class at a state university in Kediri, East Java, Indonesia to perceive how the students responded to the teacher's instructions during the learning process. Meanwhile, the interviews were conducted with nine students in a similar class. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings revealed that students engaged behaviorally by (1) posing questions or comments politely, (2) using emoticons and emojis as politeness reinforcements, and (3) confirming the unclear information behind the scene. Implications for teaching and further studies are discussed.

            This study aims to determine how Indonesian students use WhatsApp as an English learning tool and how it impacts their English proficiency. This study employed a mixed-methods approach, with surveys and interviews serving as data collection instruments. The results indicate that Indonesian students use WhatsApp as an English learning tool for discussions, sharing information, and practicing English. The study also found that using WhatsApp can improve students' English skills, particularly in speaking and writing. Furthermore, students feel more comfortable and confident using English through WhatsApp. The results of this study can be used as a reference for developing more effective English teaching strategies using digital technology.