“Netspeak” emerges since the students uses program such as Yahoo Messenger to communicate with foreigner from all over the world. In doing the communication
the students will write what they want to express. In a simple way the students write what they want to convey when using Yahoo Messenger or other chat
program.
B. Theoretical Framework
The habit of using Yahoo Messenger is mostly related with leisure activity. The thing that people do not usually know is that it is a part of Computer-
Assisted Language Learning. According to Levy 1997: 1, “Computer-Assisted Language Learning may be defined as the search for and study of applications of
the computer in language teaching and learning.” According to Jaroslaw Krajka 2007: 1, “computer assisted language learning is a language learning in which
the internet and computers are used in some way in the learning process.” It has authenticity since the learning process is in the English community, recency it
always up to date, variety and choice many sources and knowledge are available.
According to Garner and Gillingham 1996: 1, “Internet conversations can be intensely social activities.” This sometimes will be the case, for example, if
a chatting correspondence evolves that the people’s writing to each other becomes close friends. Probably most chatting conversations, however, are casual. But
even casual conversations are occasions for which the ESLEFL students must try to make himself or herself understood to another actual person other than teacher
or classmates. This makes the act of communicating in English not just a theoretical problem, but a practical one. The requirement to solve that practical
problem can be a strong motivator for students to try hard to construct clear, grammatical messages that communicate their thoughts.
The students’ habit of accessing Yahoo Messenger can be considered as CALL. The students develop their English skills by using Yahoo Messenger. This
research will focus its investigation on the students’ perception. It will see the students’ perception on the use of Yahoo Messenger as a tool for English
language learning. The students who have the habit of using the Yahoo Messenger will provide meaningful perception on it.
