Students’ Perception of Using Instagram in Vocabulary Building at SMK Bhakti 1 Jakarta

Abstract

In today’s digital era, Instagram, a social media commonly used for entertainment and communication among students, has significant potential as an educational tool, particularly for enhancing vocabulary acquisition in English courses. This study aims to explore the perceptions of tenth-grade students at SMK Bhakti 1 Jakarta regarding the use of Instagram as a medium for English vocabulary building. Employing a descriptive quantitative method, it involved 40 purposively selected students from four different classes. Data were collected using a closed-ended questionnaire consisting of 25 items, categorized under six key indicators: perceived usefulness of Instagram, learning autonomy, vocabulary building, motivation and enjoyment, confidence in using vocabulary, and social influence and inspiration. The findings revealed that 85% of the students expressed positive perceptions toward using Instagram in vocabulary learning, placing it in the "Very High" category. Students reported that Instagram helped them discover and remember new vocabulary, encouraged them to study independently, and boosted their confidence in using English in both spoken and written forms. Moreover, educational content shared by English learning accounts on Instagram served as a valuable source of inspiration and motivation. The study concludes that Instagram is an engaging, relevant, and effective supplementary medium for vocabulary learning, especially for vocational school students who are already familiar with the platform.