The The Impact of TikTok on English Language Learning and Cultural Connectivity in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

The main objective of this study was to examine the effect of TikTok on English Language department students in terms of their learning and cultural sharing with other speakers. To achieve the objectives, a questionnaire consisting of Google Forms was used to gather information from 116 university students in Kurdistan. The study sought to answer two main questions; (1) to what extent do students benefit from using TikTok to improve their English Language skills? And (2) How does TikTok contribute to the development of cultural awareness and connectivity with other English Language speakers? According to the findings, TikTok helps in learning casual English language skills like listening to authentic dialogues, colloquialisms, and real-life usage. However, it does not help much in mastering formal language skills as the students discovered. Students have learned idioms and dealt with real life situations on this platform besides its perceived weakness as a structured language learning environment due to its entertainment orientation. The findings regarding its impact on cultural sharing reveal that TikTok offers limited avenues for cultural interaction. While students pointed out that the platform offers some level of cultural awareness as well as opportunities to display and view other cultures, the level of cultural interaction is quite superficial. This is probably because the content is produced in an informal, disorganized, and decentralized manner. Ultimately, Future research should study how TikTok can be modified for more organized educational reasons, increasing its potential as a good learning platform.