An Overview of the Utilization of TikTok in Improving Young Saudi Learners’ Speaking Skills

Abstract

The present study sought to examine the effectiveness of social media applications, particularly the TikTok platform, in the improvement of English-speaking skills among young Saudi learners from the perspectives of both learners and teachers. The study attempted to answer three questions: How far is the use of social media, especially TikTok, via mobile devices, effective in improving young Saudi learners’ speaking skills outside the classroom? What are young Saudi English language learners’ perspectives on the use of TikTok via mobile devices as a tool for improving their speaking skills? To what extent is learning to speak English through TikTok more effective than traditional class methods? The researcher used a mixed-methods approach to collect data in the study. The sample consisted of 120 secondary school and university students who participated in the study. To reach valid conclusions regarding their perceptions on the use of TikTok as a language development tool, the participants responded to an online 5-point Likert scale questionnaire. Following that step, three experienced English teachers provided their perceptions of the impact of TikTok as an enhancement tool in English-speaking learning. The findings of the study indicated that TikTok is an effective tool for learning English, particularly in relation to speaking skills, since both most young Saudi learners and teachers agreed that they perceive TikTok as an effective learning tool that English learners can utilize to motivate them and enhance their speaking skills.