The Influence of Tiktok on EFL Students’ Vocabulary Acquisition

This study examines how TikTok influences English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students' vocabulary acquisition at UIN Ar-Raniry Banda Aceh. The research was prompted by the growing use of social media in everyday life and the potential of digital platforms to help students learn vocabulary in informal settings. Prior research has shown that social media can help with language learning. However, there aren't many studies that focus on students' experiences in Aceh and how TikTok helps them learn vocabulary outside of school. A qualitative descriptive design was employed in this study. 14 students from the 2022 cohort of the English Education Department were selected through purposive sampling, based on their use of TikTok and their exposure to English-language content on the platform. Data were gathered using an open-ended questionnaire and analyzed through thematic analysis. The findings reveal that TikTok influences vocabulary development through four main factors. First, Vocabulary is frequently acquired incidentally through exposure to engaging and topic-specific content. Second, TikTok supports learning by presenting multimodal input, including audio, text, and visuals. Its algorithmic features also contribute to improved retention. Third, the platform offers an interactive and accessible learning environment, as its short-form videos are practical, appealing, and easy to access. However, its effectiveness is not absolute, as factors such as distractions, limited content depth, sporadic exposure, and insufficient active practice may reduce learning outcomes.