YouTube as Informal Learning Media to Enhance English Vocabulary: Students’ Perception

Abstract

This study aims to examine how students utilize the YouTube platform, describe their perceptions of its use for informal learning, and identify the challenges they face in using it as a medium for improving English vocabulary. This study employed a qualitative method and a case study design with an open-ended questionnaire. Eighteen English language students at Semarang State University participated in the study. The data obtained were analyzed using thematic analysis, which identified themes from the collected data about students' perceptions. In this stage, the researchers analyzed the collected data to identify and formulate emerging themes related to students' perceptions. The findings of this study indicate that students perceive YouTube as a platform for improving their vocabulary. The majority of students expressed positive perceptions about using YouTube as a medium for informal vocabulary learning. However, the study also identified several problems frequently encountered by students, such as technical issues in internet usage and contextual issues with YouTube content, which could be used as a source of learning material. On the other hand, this study also found that students can increase their learning motivation because there is a variety of English content that they can use as vocabulary learning material.