THE STUDENTS' PERCEPTION OF USING DUOLINGO AS A LANGUAGE TOOL FOR
LEARNING ENGLISH
SKRIPSI
BY Retno Lestari
21801073096
UNIVERSITAS ISLAM MALANG
FACULTY OF TEACHER TRAINING AND EDUCATION ENGLISH EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
2022
THE STUDENTS' PERCEPTION OF USING DUOLINGO AS A LANGUAGE TOOL FOR
LEARNING ENGLISH
SKRIPSI
Presented to
Faculty of Teacher Training and Education Universitas Islam Malang
In partial fulfillment of the requirements for degree of Sarjana in English Language Education
BY Retno Lestari
21801073096
UNIVERSITAS ISLAM MALANG
FACULTY OF TEACHER TRAINING AND EDUCATION ENGLISH EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
2022
ABSTRACT
Lestari, Retno. 2022. The Students' Perception of Using Duolingo as a Language Tool for Learning English. Skripsi, English education Department
Faculty of Teacher Training and Education Universitas Islam Malang.
Advisor I: Nuse Aliyah Rahmati, S.Pd. MA; Advisor II: Dzurriyyatun Ni’mah, S.S, M.Pd.
Key words: Students’ perception, Duolingo, language learning
With the development of technology, students are more interested in digital learning that uses an internet connection that can be accessed anywhere and anytime. Duolingo app is one of the modern apps that facilitate language acquisition. Duolingo offers a model of English courses based on everyday life in a simpler way. In this application users can learn vocabulary and grammar, even this application provides a mixture of abilities in pronunciation, and word translation and provides activities to understand words from pictures, and others.
Duolingo combines elements from audio visual questions in a fun way. With the gamification system offered, it can help to build interest in learning in a comfortable way and not get easily bored when learning.
This study aims to determine the perception of students majoring in English towards the use of the Duolingo application as a language learning tool to learn English and to find out what aspects of language improve after using the Duolingo application as a language learning tool. The research design of this research is qualitative research. Participants in this study were 28 English students at the Universitas Islam Malang who had used the Duolingo application for more than 40 days. The data were collected by giving a questionnaire and interviewing the students.
From the results of this study, most students are agreeing about the statement toward the use of the Duolingo application in their English learning. The results of the questionnaires and interviews obtained by the researcher explained that students agreed that the Duolingo application had many positive effects on students in language learning such as students becoming more motivated in learning and making students practice more and apply their language skills in everyday life.
Also, some aspects of a language improve after using the Duolingo application, such as students knowing a lot of vocabulary and memorizing it easily, becoming better at grammar and pronunciation, and making it easier for students to improve their English language acquisition.
Based on the finding of the study, it is addressed for future researchers.
The researcher hopes that further research can examine with a larger sample and dig deeper into other topics related to the use of the Duolingo application and its implementation in English language teaching.
ABSTRACT
Lestari, Retno. 2022. The Students' Perception of Using Duolingo as a Language Tool for Learning English. Skripsi, English education Department
Faculty of Teacher Training and Education Universitas Islam Malang.
Advisor I: Nuse Aliyah Rahmati, S.Pd. MA; Advisor II: Dzurriyyatun Ni’mah, S.S, M.Pd.
Key words: Students’ perception, Duolingo, language learning
Dengan perkembangan teknologi, siswa lebih tertarik pada pembelajaran digital yang menggunakan koneksi internet yang dapat diakses di mana saja dan kapan saja. Aplikasi Duolingo adalah salah satu aplikasi modern yang memfasilitasi penguasaan bahasa. Duolingo menawarkan model kursus bahasa Inggris berdasarkan kehidupan sehari-hari dengan cara yang lebih sederhana. Dalam aplikasi ini pengguna dapat mempelajari kosakata dan tata bahasa, bahkan aplikasi ini memberikan perpaduan kemampuan dalam pengucapan, dan terjemahan kata serta memberikan kegiatan memahami kata dari gambar, dan lain-lain. Duolingo menggabungkan elemen dari pertanyaan audio visual dengan cara yang menyenangkan. Dengan sistem gamifikasi yang ditawarkan dapat membantu membangun minat belajar dengan cara yang nyaman dan tidak mudah bosan saat belajar.
Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui persepsi mahasiswa jurusan bahasa Inggris terhadap penggunaan aplikasi Duolingo sebagai sarana pembelajaran bahasa untuk belajar bahasa Inggris dan untuk mengetahui aspek bahasa apa saja yang meningkat setelah menggunakan aplikasi Duolingo sebagai sarana pembelajaran bahasa. Desain penelitian dari penelitian ini adalah penelitian kualitatif. Partisipan dalam penelitian ini adalah 28 mahasiswa Bahasa Inggris Universitas Islam Malang yang telah menggunakan aplikasi Duolingo selama lebih dari 40 hari. Pengumpulan data dilakukan dengan pemberian angket dan wawancara kepada siswa.
Dari hasil penelitian ini, sebagian besar siswa setuju tentang pernyataan terhadap penggunaan aplikasi Duolingo dalam pembelajaran bahasa Inggris mereka. Hasil angket dan wawancara yang diperoleh peneliti menjelaskan bahwa siswa setuju bahwa aplikasi Duolingo memiliki banyak efek positif pada siswa dalam pembelajaran bahasa seperti siswa menjadi lebih termotivasi dalam belajar dan membuat siswa lebih banyak berlatih dan menerapkan keterampilan bahasa mereka dalam kehidupan sehari-hari. Selain itu, beberapa aspek bahasa meningkat setelah menggunakan aplikasi Duolingo, seperti siswa mengetahui banyak kosakata dan menghafalnya dengan mudah, menjadi lebih baik dalam tata bahasa dan pengucapan, dan memudahkan siswa untuk meningkatkan penguasaan bahasa Inggris mereka.
Berdasarkan temuan penelitian, ditujukan untuk peneliti selanjutnya.
Peneliti berharap penelitian selanjutnya dapat mengkaji dengan sampel yang lebih
besar dan menggali lebih dalam topik lain terkait penggunaan aplikasi Duolingo dan implementasinya dalam pengajaran bahasa Inggris.
CHAPTER I
INTROUCTION
In this chapter, the researcher presents several topics related to the research.
They are the context of the research, the research focus, the research purpose, the significance of the research, the scope and limitations of the research, and the definition of key terms.
1.1 Context of the Study
To enhance the student's English abilities, various ways can be done to help students learn English. One of which is to take English courses or additional classes in their free time to exercise also to enhance their language abilities. In addition, Sulistyo (2016) said that English courses or additional classes in spare time are to practice and further improve students' English competence or ability. However, with this new era, with the very rapid increase of technology, it is able to trade almost every component of human life, including helping and making it easier for students to access knowledge.
Education in the digital era 4.0 could be very beneficial for the world of teacher and student education by using technological devices as a way for gaining knowledge. Currently, the utility of technology is comprehensive within the academic environment which aims to assist enhance the quality of digital learning that can be accessed through an internet connection for free by all users. Nowadays, students are more interested in learning that uses technology. The use of technology
as a web-primarily based or online learning model in this period is efficaciously used in combining each face-to-face meetings and online learning meetings.
Education is developed through improving the technologies utilized in education. One of the outcomes of technology that has been used in the world of education is media or learning gear and resources. Media or learning equipment used to assist students or teachers inside the teaching and learning method together with computers, smartphones, and the internet are all deliberately designed for the gain of teaching activities to bring information.
The current school and campus learning process cannot be separated from the role of information technology. This can be seen from the current conditions, the COVID-19 pandemic period is a time when all circumstances cannot be carried out as usual by all groups, including the world of education. As we know, COVID- 19 is a disease that attacks human respiration with acute symptoms. The disease can spread quickly from one person to another through tiny droplets from the nose or mouth that are spread when a person coughs or exhales. Therefore, all activities must be stopped and require everyone to wear masks and maintain distance. This results in learning that cannot be done face-to-face but must be done from home because it is to break the chain of spreading this virus. Therefore, schools and campuses make innovations by conducting online learning. Utilizing information and communication technology, online learning is carried out using various online media such as zoom, google meet, google classroom, and so on properly for collecting assignments to modelling a learning system so that learning activities can be continued.
The existence of advanced learning media or gear and internet connections that can indirectly have a positive impact on the world of education, specifically students can easily access information needed to help substances and materials which can be relevant to the learning required. According to Rulviana (2018) , the nature of the internet that can be contacted at any time, so students can take benefit of educational applications provided at the internet community at any time in line with their free time in order that the obstacles they face such as the difficulty of finding sources of learning materials can be overcome.
Nowadays, it can be seen that the use of smartphones has become commonplace among students. Smartphones are a tool that provides many applications that students can develop their knowledge of, including learning about various English skills, if they maximize the functionality of the features and applications in the smartphone. Several applications facilitate students to learn English, such as Dictionary, English Idioms, English Grammar, etc.
Many computer and smartphone applications had been developed for the purpose of learning English, one of that's Duolingo which is an English learning application created by Luis von Ahn and Severin Hacker which is available on smartphones intended for iPhone and Android users. Duolingo was released in November 2011 which targets to teach vocabulary and grammar, even this application provides a mixture of abilities in pronunciation, word translation and gives activities to understand words from pictures, write down what you listen, and others. So, Duolingo can make a big effect on its users and is also very helpful in learning English abilities and improving English learning. Duolingo is the world's
most popular language-learning platform and most downloaded educational app, with over 300 million users.
Duolingo offers a model of English courses primarily based on ordinary life in a simpler and freeway. Duolingo is now the most downloaded language learning app in the world with over 35 languages available through quick and brief classes.
English courses for Indonesian users are already available and used by 1.74 million users. This application connects lessons with video games which could construct interest in learning. Plus, Duolingo combines elements from audio, visuals as well as questions about vocabulary and grammar in a very amusing way. This supports the fact that applications on smartphones can be used to assist students in learning English, in addition to increase their desire to study, increase their knowledge in a more cozy and fun way. Consistent with Ahmed (2016), Duolingo has always increased concentration on information leading to user satisfaction.
Furthermore, researcher wants to conduct research on the use of the Duolingo application as a language learning medium for English language education students at Universitas Islam Malang, which coincided with the Covid- 19 pandemic so that learning activities became online. This event causes students' interest in learning to decrease so we need an application that can help students to increase their interest in learning, especially outside the classroom. Duolingo can be one of the students' choices to help their learning activities with the gamification system it offers so that students become more interested and not bored to learn. The Duolingo application has advantages and disadvantages in its use to improve students' language learning. As a consequence, students have different perceptions
on the use of the application as a medium or language learning tool in their English learning process. Therefore, this study pursuits to investigate students' perceptions of the Duolingo application as a medium or tool in enhancing their English learning capabilities. Consequently, the researcher is interested in conducting a study entitled "The Students' Perception of Using Duolingo as a Language Tool for Learning English".
1.2 Focuses of the Study
Based at the background of the study above, the focuses of the study are formulated as follows:
• What is the students' perception of the usage of Duolingo application as a language tool for learning English?
• Which aspects of English improve after students use the Duolingo app in their language learning?
1.3 Purposes of the Study
The purpose of the study was directly connected with the problem of the study.
The objectives of this study are intended:
• To find out the perception of English education students towards the Duolingo application as a tool for their English learning.
• To find out what aspects of language were felt improve after students used Duolingo application in their language learning.
1.4 Significances of the Study
The significance of this research is to provide contributions and informative ideas for the improvement of English teaching and learning. First, for myself after doing this research I can be better in learning and teaching as a prospective English teacher. I am more able to choose which method is suitable to be applied in class teaching, so that an effective, orderly, and comfortable learning environment is formed for students. Second, for students, they have an alternative way of studying English by using optimally the Duolingo application. Third, for teachers, they can attract students' interest and motivate them to learn English more, and also teachers can pick an alternative way of teaching English by using the Duolingo app as a language learning tool. And the last, as a consideration for further research on the same object but with a different point of view. In addition, this research is expected to be useful for other researchers to encourage them to conduct similar studies with other pursuits. The results of this research are expected to provide views of English students regarding the use of Duolingo app in improving their English capabilities.
So, this understanding can assist to decide a way to apply Duolingo in a learning context, allowing students to have a high-quality mindset approximately using Duolingo as a medium or learning tool.
Scope and Limitation of the Study
This study focuses on students' views on using Duolingo as a language learning application and to discover some aspects of language that students can improve in learning with the aid of the use of this application. The limitation of this
research is specialized only for students at the Universitas Islam Malang who are already used Duolingo minimum forty days. The researcher cannot make direct classroom observations because all campus activities are carried out through online classes. All students did the study from home so the researcher only provided questionnaires via google forms through WA groups and conducted interviews through Zoom application. Then, the researcher also has limited time to do this research.
1.5 The Definition of Key Terms
Definition of key terms to keep away from concepts used on this study. The terms that need to be described are as follows:
1. Learning English
In this study the learning itself is in an English course.
2. Perception
In the study, students' perceptions are students' opinions about the use of the Duolingo app as an English learning tool.
3. Duolingo Application
In this research, Duolingo has a position as a medium or device for learning English.
CHAPTER V
CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS
In this chapter, the researcher presents two parts, conclusions and suggestions. Conclusions and suggestions are drawn based on the results of the data analysis and discussion presented in the previous chapter. In addition, some suggestions are also made to provide some ideas for further research in this field.
5.1 Conclusions
According to the findings and discussion of the study, the results was shown that almost all participants gave positive responses, most of the students agree toward the using of Duolingo application in terms of usability, blending, control, connectivity, mobility, content, and cost based on students experience after using the Duolingo app. Based on data analysis, the Duolingo application is an English learning tool that can provide many benefits in language learning so that it is suitable for supporting students' learning processes to be better. First, the Duolingo application can increase students’ learning motivation so that the duration of learning becomes longer and more effective; second, the gamification system offered by Duolingo application makes students more active in doing each task in the Duolingo application; third, making it easier for students to understand English material; and lastly, by learning to use the Duolingo application regularly, it allows students to practice and apply the knowledge of English they have gained from the Duolingo app into their daily lives. In addition, the Duolingo application also improves students' understanding of several aspects of the language.
By using the Duolingo app for language learning, several aspects of language are improved, including: first, with the many programs in Duolingo application that contain word games, it makes it easier for students to know vocabulary and can memorize vocabulary so that students' vocabulary mastery increases; secondly, in the Duolingo application, many are also taught to practice pronunciation so that students become better at pronouncing words; third, students understand the rules of grammar; and fourth, assisting students in mastering the four English skills, namely speaking, listening, reading and writing. The Duolingo application is a useful learning tool for learning English because it has many benefits to support the student learning process. However, the Duolingo application cannot be used as a single medium for learning English. Students can find and add media or other additional learning tools to support language learning to the maximum.
5.2 Suggestions
Based on the conclusions above, the researcher makes suggestions for students, English teachers and future researchers. The researcher provides the following suggestions:
1. For Students. Students can use the Duolingo app to practice and improve their language learning process, such as to help them add vocabulary, memorize vocabulary meaning, word pronunciation and translation, as well as understand material and practice other aspects of English as well. In addition, students are also advised to get used to independent and creative
learning. In order not to get bored easily when studying, students can learn using learning applications that can be accessed anywhere and anytime. If these habits are carried out, the achievement of English language skills can be achieved well.
2. Regarding English teachers. Teachers can use language learning applications such as the Duolingo application as a language learning tool that can help students and is very useful in learning English because the Duolingo application can motivate and provide good improvement to students.
3. For future researchers. Due to the limitations of this study, the researcher hopes that further research can investigate this problem with a larger and wider sample. And it is hoped that future researchers will provide the implementation of the Duolingo application and explore deeper other topics related to using the Duolingo app.
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