The Use of Whatsapp as A Communication Medium in English Learning

Abstract

This study aims to determine the use of WhatsApp as a communication medium in learning English. This research was carried out at SMK N 1 Kawunganten with the object of the research are XI and XII grade from TKR department and English teachers in this school. Nowadays, social media is very easy to be accessed by smartphone users anywhere, anytime and in any activity. If viewed more specifically, currently there are types of social networks that have special features such as direct messages known as chat, voice features, even image or photo upload service features at social network users who also have the application. WhatsApp is one of the applications that are very popular and most downloaded in most of people. In the part of education ,WhatsAppis known as the most widely used online media between students and teachers or students and lecturers. The benefit of using WhatsApp ijn short made online learning is easier, the example is providing information about learning, materials, communication between students and teachers or students and lecturers, both personal and group, and even be used as a learning evaluation media. The method that we use in this study is a qualitative research with data collection techniques are interviews and observation. The first step we conduct interview with three of the English teachers in this schools. The next step we plan an observation used WhatsApp group. Based on the data we got a result that WhatsApp application was chosen because it has a practical and appropriate side to be used in SMK N 1 Kawunganten during learning from home. In conclusion, WhatsApp is suitable to be used as a communication medium in English learning at SMK N 1 Kawunganten