Students' Perception on the Use of Duolingo in Learning English as Foreign Language at State Senior High School 1 Kajen

Students' Perception on the Use of Duolingo in Learning English as Foreign Language

Abstract

Duolingo's role as a learning medium which is carried out in one meeting has attracted students' attention to develop an understanding of English language skills and can provide high motivation for learning English so that learning becomes easy and fun. The aims of this research were (1) to identify the students’ obstacles in using Duolingo in learning English as a foreign language, (2) to explore the students’ perception of the use of Duolingo in learning English as a foreign language, (3) to know the students’ reasons on the use of Duolingo in learning English as a foreign language. This research used mixed methods, quantitative and qualitative. The mixed method was to measure students’ obstacles in learning English, and the qualitative was to identify students’ perceptions and students’ reasons for the use of Duolingo in learning English as a foreign language. This research was conducted for the tenth-grade students at SMA Negeri 1 Kajen. The results show that students' obstacles in using Duolingo in learning English are mostly problems with unstable internet networks during class due to WIFI or running out of quota. When they encounter problems, these problems can be overcome by continuing the challenge at home. In principle, there are no obstacles, Duolingo has been able to develop English language skills. They enjoy using Duolingo both at school and at home. Apart from that, the author also tested their English language skills before and after using Duolingo through pretest and posttest, the result was that they experienced progress in improving their English skills. Students also saw that Duolingo was easy to use and understood the rules of use, they also think that Duolingo is a fun application because it is learning while playing and according to students, Duolingo is very challenging for listening, speaking, writing, and reading skills. The reasons students use Duolingo are because they think that Duolingo is like playing a game so they feel they are not learning English but are completing a challenging game, only requires a stable internet network, teaches four English skills, the learning design in Duolingo adapts to abilities users, there are also interesting images that match the context asked.