ACADEMIC WRITING

HOW GENERATION Z LEARN ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE

IN TODAY’S MODERN WORLD

Written By:
Aruna Darani Pinilih (5030201056)
Department of Visual Communication Design
Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology

Lecturer:
Ratna Rintaningrum, S.S., M.Ed., Ph.D
 CHAPTER I

1.1 Abstract

English, a language first spoken in medieval England, is the language of international

communication. The ability to communicate in this global language proves to be increasingly
significant in today’s expanding technological age. This makes it important for the newest
generation to learn said language, as they will be the nation’s future leaders. Generation Z, or
Gen Z for short, is the newest generation to be named.

1.2 Problem Statements

1.2.1 Who is Generation Z and what differentiates them from previous

generations?
1.2.2 How do non-native English speakers of Generation Z learn English as a second
language and how does it differ from previous generations?

1.3 The Purpose of this Study

1.3.1 To define Generation Z and their characteristics
1.3.2 To explain how Generation Z learn English and the implications of it

CHAPTER II

2.1 A Brief Overview of Generation Z

Generation Z, or Gen Z for short, is the generation that comes after Millennials and
before Generation Alpha. Researchers and popular media use the mid-to-late 1990s as
starting birth years and the early 2010s as ending birth years. Most believe that the oldest of
Generation Z are those born in 1995, with the youngest of the generation being those born in
2010. This means that as of 2020, they are between 10-25 years old.
What defines Generation Z? Generation Z is a generation marked by the internet. From
their time of birth, the internet and cell phones were mostly commonplace. They were born
into a fully digital world, connected by the internet. It is part of their homes, their education,
and their way of socializing.
Older generations (e.g. Generation X and Millennials) were not born into an internet-
connected world. Most of them grew up without the internet, only for it to become part of
their everyday lives later on in life. Older generations view the internet first as a place to get
information and content, second as a place to connect. Millennials spent years online before
 Facebook was launched, whereas Generation Z has never lived in a world without social
media.
As a result of being born into a digital world, Generation Z is probably the generation
who is most digital-savvy. Generation Z knows that if they need information, it's easily
accessible. With an internet connection and smartphone at hand, the world is at their
fingertips.
Being connected to the internet means being connected to the world. There is a certain
exposure that comes with this. Generation Z could easily read and keep up with news from
all over the world, even if it’s from a country they’ve never previously heard about. With the
help of social media, they could also gain knowledge about other cultures, races, religions,
etc. Because being connected makes communication virtually limitless, it’s also not
uncommon for Generation Z to have friends from all over the world.
Gen Z differentiates itself by taking social issues very seriously, likely due to the fact of
having such a diverse and wide-ranging connection to other people through the Internet.
They grew up knowing diversity, educating themselves on the importance of acceptance and
mutual respect towards each community. Neither race, sexual orientation nor religion are the
identifying characteristics that they may have been for previous generations. To Generation
Z, people are just people.
Their mastery of technology may cause them to neglect interpersonal relationships, but
they are the ones who give more of a voice to social causes on the internet. When everything
in society moved online, this is where Gen Z was not just fluent, but deeply comfortable. An
ethical and morally serious generation, Gen Z are mobile, accepting, and well-connected.

2.2 Generation Z’s Way of Learning English as a Second Language

With the way the world is always increasing in technological advancements, the
importance of the English language proves to be even more significant. English is one of the
global languages of the world, used to communicate as a common unifying language even
between two people whose main language is not English. To be able to communicate in
English connects you to the entire world, handing you opportunities you otherwise wouldn’t
have.
As Generation Z, there are many available ways to learn English. One of the most
conventional ways is by formal education. In countries where English is not used as a first
language, it is almost always being taught by the school system from a very young age. Take
Indonesia, for example. English is taught by the school's curriculum as early as the first grade
up until the twelfth. Most colleges even offer English courses, with it being a mandatory
class for some.
Another conventional way is by taking English tutoring classes. These tutoring classes
could either be taken online or face-to-face. There are also books available to learn formal
English grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structures. By learning the theory and
understanding the concept, a person studying English could get more practice in
understanding and properly practicing the language itself.
As previously stated, Generation Z is a generation that is well connected with the world
through the means of the internet and digital connections. Through this, Generation Z has the
advantage of learning English in a more unconventional way. For example, with social media
being a daily use of most of Generation Z, they are exposed daily English in the media. With
more and more people using English in social media, those who are not as fluent will learn to
adapt to effectively keep up.
One of the main uses of the internet for Generation Z is for entertainment. Websites and
apps such as Youtube, TikTok, and streaming services such as Netflix, Disney+, etc. are a few
of the main entertainment services Generation Z frequently uses. A lot of the content
available on these entertainment platforms are in English. Although most of them have
subtitles readily available, some (like TikTok) do not. It is up to the user to be able to adapt
and understand the media being shown. This helps the user's listening skills which would
help them in English overall.
Students need to invest more time to practice listening in English. It is because time
investment has an influence on English achievement. Time investment means how much
time students spend in learning to listen in English. The more students practice their listening
skill, the more students are familiar with English. If students are familiar with what they hear,
the way and the speed how the speakers speak in English can be followed (Rintaningrum,
2018).
With how well-connected Generation Z is, it is unsurprising if they create friendships
with those from other countries. Whether it be through social media or other platforms,
Generation Z would often communicate with these people using a language both parties
could understand: English. This helps Generation Z in forming conversational skills. Aside
from that, a lot of Generation Z would often live stream or video call their online friends,
putting their practical English skills to use.
A lot of popular written media use English as its delivering language. As Generation Z
are mostly teens and young adults, fiction books are immensely popular among them. Books
such as Harry Potter, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, The Hunger Games, To All the
Boys I’ve Loved Before, and The Maze Runner are a few of the most popular and loved books
by Generation Z. All of these books are originally written in English and although there are
many translations available, most of Generation Z opts to read the original English version.
Reading novels in English is one of the main ways for this Generation to develop a broader
vocabulary and literacy skills.
 CHAPTER III
The ability to communicate in English is an important skill to have in today's modern
world. With technological advancements being made each day, future generations must be able
to communicate fluently in English, as they will be the nation's future leaders. Communicating in
English is a skill that offers a range of opportunities, connecting a world that is otherwise
separated by a language barrier.
Generation Z, being the latest generation to be named, is a generation well-versed in
connecting in the digital era. Being born in this generation gives them the advantage of getting
used to the diversity the world has to offer. With this, Generation Z is open to unconventional
ways of learning English with the help of the internet.
Keeping this in mind, Generation Z will lead tomorrow's world as an ethical and morally
serious generation, with mobility, acceptance, and a well-established English communication
skill that creates opportunities and connects the world.

REFERENCES

Rintaningrum, R. (2018). Investigating reasons why listening in english is difficult: Voice from
foreign language learners. Asian EFL Journal.

Estrella, K. (2020, July 31). The Defining Characteristics of Generation Z. Extreme Reach.
https://extremereach.com/blog/the-defining-characteristics-of-generation-z/ . Accessed on
November 20.

From the baby boomer to the post-millennial generations: 50 years of change. (2020). Iberdrola.
https://www.iberdrola.com/talent/generation-x-y-z . Accessed on November 23.

10 defining characteristics of Generation Z. (2019, January 16). TTI Success Insights.

https://blog.ttisi.com/10-defining-characteristics-of-generation-z . Accessed on November
25.