Students’ Perceptions of Using Busuu App as an Autonomous English Learning Medium

Abstract

This research aimed to investigate students’ perceptions of using the Busuu application as an autonomous English learning medium. The research employed descriptive qualitative research to gain a deep understanding. Research results were collected through both online questionnaire and interview. The subjects were 22 undergraduate students of a private university in Lumajang. The participants reported that 82% of students strongly agreed that Busuu app is easy to use and can be accessed anywhere and anytime. There are also 91% of students agreed that Busuu app is very innovative and and an effective medium. Moreover, 77% of students had experience that learning English outside the classroom autonomously and 82% they can use internet and smartphones. Based on the results of the questionnaire, it can be concluded that the students gave positive perceptions of using Busuu app as an autonomous English learning medium. The Busuu app is a useful and effective medium in learning English autonomously. They also felt that learning English autonomously using the Busuu application could improve their English skills because the students can determine their learning style so that learning becomes more interesting and meaningful. This can be a teacher’s concern that in this digital era, language learning is not only in the classroom, but also outside the classroom by using technology. In addition, the research was conducted at a private Islamic high school with limited participants. Therefore, other researchers need to investigate in different high schools with a large population to gain wider and deeper perceptions of autonomous English language learning.