THE USE OF INSTAGRAM AS A LEARNING PLATFORM TO ENHANCE INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS’ ENGLISH SPEAKING SKILLS THROUGH PROJECT-BASED LEARNING

Abstract

This study focuses on the use of Instagram as a learning platform to improve students’ speaking skills. The results show that students’ speaking ability improved after applying Instagram and Project-Based Learning in the classroom. The study is grounded in the growing integration of digital technology in language learning, which emphasizes authentic communication, student engagement, and meaningful learning experiences in real-life contexts.This research employed a qualitative descriptive design conducted at Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU). The participants consisted of 15 international students selected through purposive sampling based on specific criteria. Data were collected through observation, semi-structured interviews, and documentation, and were supported by pre-intervention and post-intervention speaking assessments. The assessment focused on key components of speaking, including pronunciation, vocabulary, fluency, and confidence. The findings reveal that the integration of Instagram and Project-Based Learning significantly enhances students’ speaking performance. The quantitative results indicate a substantial increase in the mean score from 55.3 in the pre-intervention stage to 84.3 in the post-intervention stage, with an average improvement of 29 points. This improvement reflects students’ development across multiple dimensions of speaking skills. Furthermore, qualitative findings show that students became more active, confident, and motivated during the learning process. The use of Instagram enables repeated practice, self-evaluation, and peer interaction through video-based tasks, creating an authentic and low-anxiety learning environment. In addition, the implementation of Project-Based Learning supports students in organizing ideas, engaging in collaborative learning, and presenting their speaking projects in a structured and meaningful manner. The integration of a digital platform with a student-centered learning model facilitates not only linguistic development but also learner autonomy and engagement. In conclusion, the integration of Instagram as a learning platform with the Project-Based Learning model provides an effective and innovative approach to enhancing international students’ English speaking skills. This study contributes to the development of technology enhanced language learning by demonstrating how social media can function as a meaningful pedagogical tool in improving speaking performance and learner engagement.