EFL Learners' Perceptions of Social Interaction on X(Twitter) for Second Language Acquisition

Olivia Pratnya Paramita, Ummi Nur Laila Sulistyani

Abstract


Social media allows people to interact with others from around the world without having to meet face-to-face. This convenience offers opportunities for individuals, particularly EFL learners, to acquire language through online interaction. However, research on language acquisition through social media, especially on X(Twitter), remains limited. This research aims to explore Indonesian EFL learners’ perceptions of how Twitter interaction supports their language acquisition. Using a qualitative descriptive approach, this research involved 30 university students from different universities in Indonesia. The data were collected through questionnaires and interviews and then analyzed using thematic analysis (TA). Findings reveal that learners perceive Twitter as beneficial for their language acquisition. By interacting on Twitter, learners improve their English proficiency as well as their confidence in using the language. Furthermore, Twitter features play a significant role in their learning process. The research concludes that Twitter interaction supports EFL learners’ language acquisition through exposure to native speakers. 


Keywords


Twitter; Social Interaction; English as a Foreign Language; Second Language Acquisition

References


Ahmed, B. E. S. (2020). Social media in teaching of languages. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning, 15(12), 72–80. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v15i12.12645

Alharthi, M., Bown, A., & Pullen, D. (2020). The Use of Social Media Platforms to Enhance Vocabulary Developing in Learning a New Language: A Review of The Literature. Arab World English Journal, 6(6), 318–331. https://doi.org/10.24093/awej/call6.21

Aloraini, N., & Cardoso, W. (2022). Social media in language learning: a mixed-methods investigation of students’ perceptions. Computer Assisted Language Learning, 35(8), 1707–1730. https://doi.org/10.1080/09588221.2020.1830804

Alshahrani, A. A. S. (2017). Bring a Foreign Language and Its Cultures to Saudi EFL University-Level Classrooms. International Journal of English Linguistics, 7(4), 83. https://doi.org/10.5539/ijel.v7n4p83

Alshaibani, M. F. (2020). Does the Use of Twitter Improve “Communicative Competence” of Saudi Higher Education Students? New Media and Mass Communication, 9. https://doi.org/10.7176/NMMC/91-02

Alsharidi, N. K. M. (2018). The Use of Twitter Amongst Female Saudi EFL Learners. International Journal of Applied Linguistics and English Literature, 7(4), 198. https://doi.org/10.7575/aiac.ijalel.v.7n.4p.198

Amalia, F. Z., & Sulistyani, U. N. L. (2025). Learner’s Perceptions on Vocabulary Learning Strategies: A Qualitative Single-Case Study. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan, 42(2), 115–123. https://doi.org/10.15294/jpp.v42i2.28169

Aris Widiyanto, Joel Rey Ugsang Acob, France Allan M. Cavite, Tri Yuniarti, & Joko Tri Atmojo. (2025). The Impact of Time Spent on Social Media on the Occurrence of Anxiety in Youth: A Cross-Sectional Study in Surakarta, Indonesia. Journal Of Nursing Practice, 8(4), 904–911. https://doi.org/10.30994/jnp.v8i4.853

Arumugam, N., Shafiqah, N. S., Shanthi, A., Idham, M., & . P. (2022). The Use of Twitter in Learning English Vocabulary: EFL Learners. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 12(6). https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarbss/v12-i6/14163

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa

Christian, & Kurniawan, F. V. (2023). The effect of digital marketing through social media is increasing online consumer trust in a pandemic period. In Sustainable Development in Creative Industries: Embracing Digital Culture for Humanities (pp. 338–342). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003372486-63

Daflizar. (2020). Autonomous English language learning beyond the classroom: Indonesian tertiary students’ practices and constraints. International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research, 19(10), 194–213. https://doi.org/10.26803/IJLTER.19.10.11

Falomo, M., Chiappinotto, S., Napoli, G., Inserra, A., Mesaglio, M., & Palese, A. (2026). Staying Despite the Intention to Leave: Insights from Frontline Nurses and Nurse Managers from a Qualitative Descriptive Study. Nursing Reports, 16(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/nursrep16020058

Hattem, D., & Lomicka, L. (2016). What the Tweets say: A critical analysis of Twitter research in language learning from 2009 to 2016. E-Learning and Digital Media, 13(1–2), 5–23. https://doi.org/10.1177/2042753016672350

Hulstijn, J. H. (2013). Incidental Learning in Second Language Acquisition. In The Encyclopedia of Applied Linguistics. Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781405198431.wbeal0530

Kinnison, T., Whiting, M., Magnier, K., & Mossop, L. (2017). Evaluating #VetFinals: Can Twitter help students prepare for final examinations? Medical Teacher, 39(4), 436–443. https://doi.org/10.1080/0142159X.2017.1296561

Koo, M., & Yang, S. W. (2025). Likert-Type Scale. Encyclopedia, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.3390/encyclopedia5010018

Long, M. H. (1981). INPUT, INTERACTION, AND SECOND-LANGUAGE ACQUISITION. Annals of the New York Academy of Science, 379(1), 259–278. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-6632.1981.tb42014.x

Malik, A., Heyman-Schrum, C., & Johri, A. (2019). Use of Twitter across educational settings: a review of the literature. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 16(1), 36. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-019-0166-x

Muftah, M. (2024). Impact of social media on learning English language during the COVID-19 pandemic. PSU Research Review, 8(1), 211–226. https://doi.org/10.1108/PRR-10-2021-0060

Nugraha, A. P., Kurnia, A., Irawan, P., Putra, P., Rahman, A., & Dikrurahman, D. (2024). THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON SOCIAL INTERACTION AND SELF-IDENTITY IN INDONESIAN SOCIETY. Journal of Social Research. http://ijsr.internationaljournallabs.com/index.php/ijsr

Pikhart, M., & Botezat, O. (2021). The impact of the use of social media on second language acquisition. Procedia Computer Science, 192, 1621–1628. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2021.08.166

Rinaldy Malik, A., & Nur Ashar Asnur, M. (2019). USING SOCIAL MEDIA AS A LEARNING MEDIA OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE STUDENTS IN HIGHER EDUCATION. BAHTERA: Jurnal Pendidikan Bahasa Dan Sastra, 18. http://journal.unj.ac.id/unj/index.php/bahtera/

Rosell-Aguilar, F. (2020). Twitter as a language learning tool: The learners’ perspective. International Journal of Computer-Assisted Language Learning and Teaching, 10(4), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.4018/IJCALLT.2020100101

Rouder, J., Saucier, O., Kinder, R., & Jans, M. (2021). What to Do With All Those Open-Ended Responses? Data Visualization Techniques for Survey Researchers. Survey Practice, 14(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.29115/sp-2021-0008

Saepuloh, A., Homsini Maolida, E., Irhamni, B., Id, A. A., & Id, E. A. (2023). THE MERITS OF TWITTERING IN FOSTERING ENGLISH SKILLS: EFL STUDENTS’ PERCEPTIONS. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.35194/cp.v0i0.3019

Sandelowski, M. (2000). Focus on research methods: Whatever happened to qualitative description? Research in Nursing and Health, 23(4), 334–340. https://doi.org/10.1002/1098-240x(200008)23:4<334::aid-nur9>3.0.co;2-g

Shahzadi, A., & Kausar, G. (2020). Using Social Media to Improve Students’ English Writing Skills: A Mixed Method Study. Journal of Research in Social Sciences (JRSS), 8(1).

Singh, H. (2022). Impact of social media on interpersonal communication. International Journal of Communication and Information Technology, 3(2), 26–30. https://doi.org/10.33545/2707661x.2022.v3.i2a.69

Wulandari, R. S., & Muliani, T. (2023). Users’ Perspectives on Improving English Skills Through Twitter and Telegram-Rifa Suci Wulandari. In Salience Journal (Vol. 3, Number 2). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.60155/salience.v3i2.364

Yuniasih, W. S., Waluyo, P. S., & Arochman, T. (2025). Students’ Perception of Reading Alternative Universe to Develop English Vocabulary. JET (Journal of English Teaching), 11(1), 79–91. https://doi.org/10.33541/jet.v11i1.5939

Zarei, N. Dr., & Rudravarapu, R. (2019). Using Instagram in English Language Learning. Research Journal of English Language and Literature (RJELAL), 7(2). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.33329/rjelal.7219.328

Zhong, Y. (2024). Research on Teaching Strategies Based on Second Language Acquisition Theory. Communications in Humanities Research, 51(1), 108–113. https://doi.org/10.54254/2753-7064/51/20242526




DOI: https://doi.org/10.31004/jele.v11i3.2614

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Copyright (c) 2026 Olivia Pratnya Paramita, Ummi Nur Laila Sulistyani

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.