This study investigates how students in the English Department at Mulawarman University use Twitter as an informal platform to improve their English communication skills. Unlike traditional classrooms, Twitter offers a relaxed, real-time environment where students interact in English through tweets, slang, memes, and interactions with classmates. Using a qualitative narrative research approach, data were collected from six students and one instructor through semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis revealed three main findings: students learn English informally through daily practice and self-motivation; they adapt to a flexible communication style influenced by online slang and global discourse; and they benefit from peer interactions that provide feedback, vocabulary models, and confidence-building. This study concludes that Twitter functions not only as a social media tool but also as a dynamic space for authentic, self-directed, and culturally embedded language learning. Unlike previous studies that focus on the formal integration of social media in education, this research highlights the non-academic motivations driving meaningful engagement with English. While acknowledging limitations such as deliberate sampling and digital access, this study offers new insights into how digital platforms support socio-linguistic language development. The research recommends further investigation into long-term impacts and broader student populations to understand the educational value of informal digital learning environments.
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