EFL LEARNERS IN DIGITAL SPACES: NARRATIVES OF SELF- CONFIDENCE AND SPEAKING DEVELOPMENT THROUGH INSTAGRAM
Advances in digital technology have generated new opportunities for English language learning beyond formal classroom environments. This study explores university students' experiences in utilizing Instagram as an informal platform for English language learning, focusing on their speaking skills, self-confidence, perceptions, challenges, and the meanings they ascribe to these learning experiences. Employing a qualitative approach, this research adopted a netnographic method. The study collected data through observations, video content analysis, documentation, and semi-structured interviews with four university students. The data were interpretively analysed to understand the students' learning experiences, practices, perceptions, strategies, and challenges. The findings indicate that Instagram contributes positively to the development of students' speaking skills and self-confidence. Through authentic English content, observing pronunciation and expressions, and repeated speaking practice, students improved their pronunciation, fluency, vocabulary, grammar, and content organization. Students perceived Instagram as a user-friendly, flexible, engaging, and relevant learning medium. However, students faced several challenges, including difficulty understanding pronunciation variations and accents, limited vocabulary, distractions from entertainment content, information overload, and a lack of academic feedback. To overcome these hurdles, students employed self-regulated strategies such as rewatching videos, utilizing captions, taking notes on new vocabulary, following trusted educational accounts, and managing their study time. This study concludes that Instagram can serve as an effective informal learning environment that complements formal instruction. Crucially, speaking skills and self-confidence do not develop automatically through mere exposure to content; rather, they result from an active process involving content selection, observation, practice, evaluation, reflection, and interaction. These findings suggest that educators may consider integrating Instagram as a supplementary resource for authentic and contextual speaking activities.