Using Internet Applications for English Learning of RUTS Students

Abstract

Applications on the Internet can be used for entertainment, business, study, etc. In terms of education, learners use more Internet applications, especially in the period of a deadly disease called Covid-19 changing face-to-face learning to be online-learning. This study aimed to investigate RUTS students’ using Internet applications for English learning. The entire population was 175 students studying English for Work. The samples were 81 students which are from systematic sampling. The online-questionnaire was used to find out their using applications for English learning. Moreover, 5 out of the 81 samples, from purposive sampling, were interview. The results indicated that 65.4% of the samples was male, 63.0% of them was from Engineering, and 55.64% of them were in the 4th year of study. The top-five applications they used for English learning were YouTube (87.7%), Netflix (60.5%), English Listening ESL (14.8%), Learn English Podcasts (9.9%), and BBC Learning English (6.2%). The reasons for using those applications were that they were easy and convenient to use, suitable for all ages and enjoyable. Moreover, they contained various topics and levels, both visual and audio media, and they were free of charge. 35.4% of the samples used the Internet applications not over than 3 times/month, and 34.2% of them used those 1-2 times/week. Only 19.0% and 11.4% of the samples used the Internet applications 3-4 times/week and everyday respectively. Most of them believed on the applications effectiveness in English learning improvement. However, 6.2% of them did not think that the applications can be helpful. Some of them could not understand the lessons themselves and preferred to study from their teachers. These findings imply some teaching methodology which can be applied in English classes in order to support learners’ successful learning.