RETORIKA: Jurnal Ilmu Bahasa
Vol. 12 No. 2 (2026)

Contextual English Practices in Public Space: A Descriptive Study of the Content of the ‘English on the Street’ Account on TikTok

Puspa Fortuna Zulfa (Universitas Bina Sarana Informatika, Jakarta, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
05 Nov 2026

Abstract

This study aims to analyze and describe the use of English in public spaces as represented in videos uploaded to the TikTok account ‘English on the Street’. Using a descriptive qualitative approach, data were collected from 30 videos uploaded over the past three months. The analysis involved conversational transcription, data reduction, interpretation, and descriptive note-taking. The research findings revealed that the videos showcase authentic practices such as students, radio announcer, influencer, dentist, and other workers. These interactions highlight the contextual and functional aspects of English in everyday communication, workplace encounters, and cultural explanations. The study concludes that English on the Street content depicts how English is authentically applied in real-life public contexts, resulting in a variety of vocabulary and topics. This content demonstrates TikTok’s potential as a micro-learning medium that supports contextual learning in English language education.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

jret

Publisher

Subject

Education Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media

Description

RETORIKA: Jurnal Ilmu Bahasa, 2406-9019 (Print ISSN), 2443-0668 (Electronic ISSN) is the Journal of Linguistics who published research articles and of theoretical articles in linguistic science which published by Linguistic Department, Postgraduated Program, Universitas Warmadewa. The journal is ...