WhatsApp and English Learning: Students’ Perceptions and Challenges in Pandemic Era

Abstract

Since the pandemic era due to Covid-19, WhatsApp has become an application that is widely used for online learning. In the new normal era, WhatsApp was still the application most widely used by lecturers and students because sending teaching materials was easy and fast. This study investigated students’ perceptions and challenges of utilizing WhatsApp in English language learning amid the pandemic era. The method used was a qualitative method. The researcher used a purposive sampling technique in selecting the participants. The participants in this study amounted to 12 EFL students of 2nd semester of STAIN Teungku Dirundeng Meulaboh. A semi-structured interview was used as data collection techniques. The interview data were analyzed using the Miles and Huberman flow model. The results showed that students used social media to learn and improve their English skills. WhatsApp is the most used application, considered fun, comfortable, helpful, and easy to use. WhatsApp is not only effective and time-saving, it also motivates students in learning English. In addition, WhatsApp uses less internet quota than other online applications. Even so, the internet connection, internet quota, and storage capacity on their devices are still challenges for the students. It can be concluded that the students have positive perceptions of using WhatsApp to learn English.

Effect of WhatsApp-based learning on improving Grade 9 students’ writing composition skills

“…Thus, the present study rejects the fourth null hypothesis that WhatsApp-based instruction does not have positive effect on improving the experimental group's performance in English writing composition. These findings are consistent with those reported by Ajid et al (2018); Saleh (2019); Juliana (2021) and Khan et al (2021). Furthermore, the interview findings indicated that the participants have positive perception of the WhatsApp usefulness in learning English writing composition.…”

Remote Online Collaborative Learning for Knowledge Co-Creation Through WhatsApp in an ODL Programme

“…With rapid internet connectivity in Mauritius, learners have fast access to these learning resources which are customized by them in their attempt to find solutions to their online learning tasks. However, in many other contexts, this opportunity may not exist due to the digital divide (Nasution & Munandar, 2023;Rena, 2021).…”

Pemanfaatan Alat Komunikasi Pembelajaran Online Jenjang Pendidikan Dasar (SD dan SMP/MTs) pada Era Pendemi Covid 19

“…(Sahid, 2021). Koneksi internet, kuota internet, dan kapasitas penyimpanan di perangkat mereka masih menjadi tantangan tersendiri bagi para pelajar (Juliana, 2021). Kendala yang dialami guru selama pembelajaran daring yaitu aplikasi pembelajaran, jaringan internet dan gawai (handphone), pengelolaan pembelajaran, penilaian, dan pengawasan.…”