The Influence of Using YouTube Social Media On Vocabulary Development Toward English Department Students At IAIN Langsa

This study investigated the influence of YouTube social media usage on vocabulary development among students in the English Education Department at IAIN Langsa. The research aimed to determine whether YouTube, as an independent variable, significantly affects vocabulary acquisition, the dependent variable. Employing a quantitative approach with an ex post facto design, the study examined cause-and-effect relationships without direct manipulation of variables. The participants consisted of 19 first-semester English major students at IAIN Langsa, with a total population of 20 students. Data collection instruments included vocabulary tests and questionnaires to assess students' vocabulary proficiency and their engagement with YouTube as a learning tool. The findings revealed a notable improvement in vocabulary acquisition following the intervention. The average pre-test score of 26.00, reflecting students' initial vocabulary proficiency, increased significantly to 70.50 in the post-test. This improvement corresponds to an N-Gain score of 0.60, or 60%, indicating moderate effectiveness. The results suggest that YouTube serves as an effective medium for enhancing vocabulary learning, as evidenced by the substantialiii progress observed between the pre-test and post-test phases. Furthermore, the study highlights the importance of active engagement with YouTube content to maximize vocabulary development. The study demonstrated that students are encouraged to adopt a proactive approach when using YouTube for educational purposes, effectively leveraging its diverse and accessible resources to enhance their language learning. Therefore, the findings contribute to the growing body of research on the integration of digital platforms in language education, emphasizing the potential of YouTube as a valuable tool for vocabulary enhancement in academic settings.