Students' Perceptions on The Use of Instagram Reels As a Learning Support in Improving Their Speaking Skills
Khalisha Azzahra, Reg. No. 2230104019, entitled “STUDENTS’ PERCEPTIONS ON THE USE OF INSTAGRAM REELS AS A LEARNING SUPPORT IN IMPROVING THEIR SPEAKING SKILLS”, English Teaching Department, Faculty of Tarbiyah and Teacher Training, State Islamic University (UIN) Mahmud Yunus Batusangkar, 2026. The use of social media, particularly Instagram Reels, provides students with opportunities to gain exposure to English outside the classroom. This situation raises questions about how students perceive Instagram Reels as a learning support for improving their speaking skills. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate students’ perceptions of the use of Instagram Reels as a learning support for improving their speaking skills. This study employed a qualitative approach with a phenomenological research design involving six students of the English Teaching Department at UIN Mahmud Yunus Batusangkar who were selected purposively. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis based on Braun and Clarke’s (2006) six-phase approach. The findings were organized into three components of perception: cognitive, affective, and conative. The findings showed that students generally had positive perceptions of Instagram Reels as a learning support for speaking skills. Instagram Reels helped students gain English exposure, improve vocabulary and pronunciation, increase confidence, and provide opportunities to practice speaking. Students also used various strategies, such as rewatching videos, saving content, taking notes, shadowing, and practicing speaking. However, students faced several challenges, including fast speech, unfamiliar vocabulary, slang, and limited video duration. Overall, Instagram Reels was perceived as an accessible supplementary learning support that could help develop students’ speaking skills. Keywords: students’ perceptions, Instagram Reels, learning support, speaking skills