Exploring how TikTok contents drive student’s motivation for linguistic competence in English

TikTok use has rapidly emerged as a global phenomenon, transforming from a niche social media app to one of the most popular platforms worldwide, especially among younger generations. Its short video format can be utilized to break down complex concepts into bite-sized, easily digestible content, making learning more engaging and accessible. The study purpose was to explore the impacts of TikTok contents on the students’ motivation for linguistic competence in the English language. This exploratory study used narrative data from one-on-one interviews represented into themes. College students (n=12) were purposively sampled to be interviewed in the study. Findings indicated that exposure to TikTok videos helped students develop their vocabulary, particularly informal language and slang, which strengthens their awareness of real-life communication and language use. TikTok encouraged students’ language confidence by creating a relaxing environment in which they may witness and emulate normal language use, so lowering language anxiety and promoting more natural interactions. Being able to connect people from different linguistic backgrounds, TikTok allowed students to interact dynamically with content, resulting in a better awareness of linguistic diversity. TikTok and its educational content features—such as the subjects, subtitles, clear pronunciation, and appealing visuals—help to develop listening, reading, and comprehension abilities by providing context, assisting with memorization, and reinforcing language patterns. Integrating TikTok into educational practices allows instructors to harness its extensive capacity to cultivate creativity, motivation, and a deeper involvement with learning materials in a format that aligns with the preferences of today’s digitally proficient students.