STUDENTS’ PERCEPTION ABOUT THE USE OF DUOLINGO APPLICATION AND ITS EFFECT ON ENGLISH SKILLS AT XI GRADE STUDENTS OF SMKN 3 BAUBAU

FITRIANI. Students’ Perception about The Use of Duolingo Application and Its Effect on English Skills at XI Grade Students of Smkn 3 Baubau. (Supervised by Abidin Pammu and Nasmillah). This research aims to (1) analyze students’ perception about the use of Duolingo application in improving English skills (2) explain the different result from the use of Duolingo application in improving English skills and (3) know the effect of Duolingo application in improving students’ English skill. This study utilized a descriptive qualitative method, with a phase of qualitative analysis that explored and understood the significance of individual or groups of students' perceptions. This research included students in the XI grade at SMKN 3 Baubau, as well as thirty research participants, with twenty-six female and four male students. Data was gathered through observation using field notes, English proficiency tests, questionnaires, and interviews. This study used Covin's (1990) theory, positive and negative perceptions, as a framework to examine students' views toward the use of Duolingo application. The results of this study revealed that the use of the Duolingo application promotes self- blended learning since students gain more from its capabilities perception for enhancing their speaking, listening, reading, and writing abilities. In applying the Duolingo application for strengthening students' English skills, the application focuses primarily on combining learning through online game activities. Moreover, the majority of the students admitted that the Duolingo application could potentially assist them improve their abilities in language significantly. The finding of this study concluded that the Duolingo application motivated students to study and acquire a better comprehension of the subject, to obtain the same turn in practicing the material, to minimize learning a sense of bore and to encourage remembering and practicing daily material, as well as the excitement in teaching and learning activities.