The Impact of Social Media and 4C Skills (Critical Thinking, Communication, Creativity, Collaboration) in English Language Learning: Students’ voices

This study explores students’ subjective perspectives on the use of social media platforms (e.g., TikTok, Instagram, YouTube) in developing their 21st-century 4C skills (Critical Thinking, Communication, Creativity, Collaboration) within an English Language Learning (ELL) context. Using descriptive...

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Main Authors: Muliana Juni, Muzdalifah Mahmud, Karmila Machmud
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Universitas HKBP Nommensen 2025-07-01
Series:Journal of English Teaching and Applied Linguistics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://jurnal.uhn.ac.id/index.php/jetal/article/view/1871
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author Muliana Juni
Muzdalifah Mahmud
Karmila Machmud
author_facet Muliana Juni
Muzdalifah Mahmud
Karmila Machmud
author_sort Muliana Juni
collection DOAJ
description This study explores students’ subjective perspectives on the use of social media platforms (e.g., TikTok, Instagram, YouTube) in developing their 21st-century 4C skills (Critical Thinking, Communication, Creativity, Collaboration) within an English Language Learning (ELL) context. Using descriptive qualitative methods with semi-structured interviews, this study synthesizes wide-ranging perceptions on the use of platforms and how they facilitate students in improving 4C skills in English learning. The results were further analyzed thematically. Key findings indicate that, although students recognized that social media is an accessible and engaging tool for English learning, its use for developing 4C skills is not without significant challenges. Students posited that social media effectively facilitates the practice of communication skills (writing and speaking), stimulates creativity, and supports online collaboration skills. However, they also suggested that the development of critical thinking is hampered by the difficulties in evaluating the credibility of information online. The practical implications of this study highlight the need for lecturers to design structured pedagogical support and for policymakers to integrate digital literacy into the curriculum. Without strategic guidance, the potential of social media to enhance 4C skills is at risk of being underutilized.
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series Journal of English Teaching and Applied Linguistics
spelling doaj-art-d3d63bf4d91a457d88d776c69557ac2f2025-08-20T03:55:48ZengUniversitas HKBP NommensenJournal of English Teaching and Applied Linguistics2714-98112025-07-016210.36655/jetal.v6i2.1871The Impact of Social Media and 4C Skills (Critical Thinking, Communication, Creativity, Collaboration) in English Language Learning: Students’ voicesMuliana Juni0Muzdalifah Mahmud1Karmila Machmud2Universitas Negeri GorontaloUniversitas Negeri GorontaloUniversitas Negeri GorontaloThis study explores students’ subjective perspectives on the use of social media platforms (e.g., TikTok, Instagram, YouTube) in developing their 21st-century 4C skills (Critical Thinking, Communication, Creativity, Collaboration) within an English Language Learning (ELL) context. Using descriptive qualitative methods with semi-structured interviews, this study synthesizes wide-ranging perceptions on the use of platforms and how they facilitate students in improving 4C skills in English learning. The results were further analyzed thematically. Key findings indicate that, although students recognized that social media is an accessible and engaging tool for English learning, its use for developing 4C skills is not without significant challenges. Students posited that social media effectively facilitates the practice of communication skills (writing and speaking), stimulates creativity, and supports online collaboration skills. However, they also suggested that the development of critical thinking is hampered by the difficulties in evaluating the credibility of information online. The practical implications of this study highlight the need for lecturers to design structured pedagogical support and for policymakers to integrate digital literacy into the curriculum. Without strategic guidance, the potential of social media to enhance 4C skills is at risk of being underutilized. https://jurnal.uhn.ac.id/index.php/jetal/article/view/1871Collaborationcommunicationcreativitycritical thinking
spellingShingle Muliana Juni
Muzdalifah Mahmud
Karmila Machmud
The Impact of Social Media and 4C Skills (Critical Thinking, Communication, Creativity, Collaboration) in English Language Learning: Students’ voices
Journal of English Teaching and Applied Linguistics
Collaboration
communication
creativity
critical thinking
title The Impact of Social Media and 4C Skills (Critical Thinking, Communication, Creativity, Collaboration) in English Language Learning: Students’ voices
title_full The Impact of Social Media and 4C Skills (Critical Thinking, Communication, Creativity, Collaboration) in English Language Learning: Students’ voices
title_fullStr The Impact of Social Media and 4C Skills (Critical Thinking, Communication, Creativity, Collaboration) in English Language Learning: Students’ voices
title_full_unstemmed The Impact of Social Media and 4C Skills (Critical Thinking, Communication, Creativity, Collaboration) in English Language Learning: Students’ voices
title_short The Impact of Social Media and 4C Skills (Critical Thinking, Communication, Creativity, Collaboration) in English Language Learning: Students’ voices
title_sort impact of social media and 4c skills critical thinking communication creativity collaboration in english language learning students voices
topic Collaboration
communication
creativity
critical thinking
url https://jurnal.uhn.ac.id/index.php/jetal/article/view/1871
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