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1.

TikTok: The
Unexpected English
Classroom
Welcome! Today, we're diving into how TikTok, a platform many know for
dance and funny videos, is transforming the way we learn English. Words are
the building blocks of any language, and mastering them is crucial. Good
news: technology now offers fun, engaging ways to expand our vocabulary!

2.

Beyond Entertainment: TikTok as a
Learning Tool
Short-Form Power
Interactive & Accessible
TikTok specializes in short, digestible videos,
typically 15 seconds to 3 minutes. This format keeps
It's incredibly easy to use, allowing for effortless
content engaging and attention-grabbing, perfect
watching, commenting, and sharing. You can even
for quick learning bursts.
create your own videos, turning passive viewing into
active participation.
Dynamic Content
From quick tutorials to cultural insights, TikTok's
diverse content spectrum simplifies complex
language concepts into engaging, bite-sized lessons.

3.

Student Perspectives: Enjoyable Learning
A recent study involving 50 secondary school students revealed fascinating insights into TikTok's impact on English vocabulary
acquisition.
Learning Becomes
Enjoyable
Enhanced Word
Retention
Increased Motivation
The fun and modern content on
Students reported that TikTok
The short, visual nature of TikTok
TikTok acts as a powerful
makes learning English feel less
videos helps students remember
motivator, encouraging students
like a chore and more like
new words longer than traditional
to engage with English more
entertainment, significantly
textbook methods.
frequently.
reducing boredom.

4.

How TikTok Works for English Vocabulary
TikTok leverages several key mechanisms that make it surprisingly effective for language learning:
Capturing Attention
Visual & Auditory Reinforcement
The short video format is designed to hold attention, making sure
learners absorb the content.
Seeing a word and hearing its pronunciation simultaneously creates
a stronger memory imprint.
Authentic Language Use
Emotional Connection
Content often features native speakers in everyday scenarios,
Funny or interesting videos trigger emotions, making words "stick"
exposing learners to real-life English.
more effectively in our memory.

5.

TikTok vs. Traditional Learning
Traditional lessons can sometimes be tiring, leading to quick
forgetfulness of new vocabulary.
TikTok offers a dynamic alternative:
Shows real English used in real life situations.
Transforms learning into entertaining experiences.
Enables learning anytime, anywhere, fitting seamlessly into daily
routines.

6.

TikTok's Dominance for Informal English
Practice
Our study's first question revealed a clear trend: TikTok is the leading platform for informal English practice.
TikTok
Instagram
Other Social Media
No Platform
With 39% of respondents choosing TikTok as their primary tool, it highlights our natural preference for dynamic, interactive platforms for
immersive learning experiences. Instagram came in second at 31%.

7.

Student Engagement & The Algorithm's
Role
While the vast majority of students (83%) believe TikTok effectively aids their learning, engagement levels vary.
83%
40%
35%
Believe TikTok is Effective
Often See English Content
Sometimes See English
Content
A significant majority of students find
Only 40% of students regularly encounter
Another 35% see English content
TikTok a useful tool for learning English
English learning content on their feeds.
"sometimes" or even less frequently.
vocabulary.
The key factor is TikTok's personalized algorithm. Interacting with English content—liking, following creators, or using English search
terms—trains the algorithm to deliver more, empowering users to curate their own learning feed.

8.

Types of Engaging English Content on
TikTok
One-Minute Grammar
Explanations (50%)
Cultural Insights & Slang
(35%)
Other Educational
Content (15%)
Students seek to understand how
English is used by native speakers in
While not as dominant, a variety of
Short, digestible videos explaining
real-life contexts, including idioms
other English learning content also
grammar rules are highly popular and
and cultural nuances.
captures student interest.
effective for quick learning.
An impressive 85% of respondents confirmed learning a new English word or phrase from TikTok, demonstrating its effectiveness in
vocabulary acquisition.

9.

Why Words Stick: TikTok's Memory Hooks
Our survey identified a powerful "winning formula" that makes vocabulary from TikTok particularly memorable:
Repetition (70%)
Exposure to words multiple times within
Visuals (65%)
Associating words with images and actions
engaging content reinforces memory.
creates strong recall cues.
Emotional Engagement
(50%)
Short Format (55%)
Humor, interest, or surprise in videos helps
embed words deeper into memory.
Concise videos prevent cognitive overload,
making learning more efficient.
This combination explains why words from TikTok often "stick" better than those from traditional vocabulary lists.

10.

Combining Strengths: The Best Learning
Strategy
Our research concludes that for most students today, memorizing words from TikTok is often more effective in the long term.
However, the best strategy is a combination of both worlds.
1
2
Textbooks & Lessons
TikTok & Social Media
Build a strong foundation, understand grammar rules, and
Bring vocabulary to life, hear authentic pronunciation, see
learn systematic vocabulary.
real-life usage, and make words stick through engaging
content.
The smartest learner utilizes both traditional and modern tools to their advantage, creating a comprehensive and enjoyable learning
journey.