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.
