EMOJI USAGE FOR FACILITATING EMOTIONAL EXPRESSION IN WHATSAPP COMMUNICATION AMONG ENGLISH EDUCATION STUDENTS

Abstract

In today’s digital era, there has been a significant shift from traditional to digital communication, particularly among students and academics. This study explores how emojis facilitate emotional expression within academic WhatsApp groups among students in the English Language Education Study Program (ELESP). Given the increasing reliance on digital platforms, the need for effective communication tools, such as emojis, has become essential. This research uses a qualitative approach based on Creswell's (2017) framework, gathering data from two academic WhatsApp groups through documented screenshots. Content analysis was applied to examine how emojis convey emotions and enhance communication dynamics. The findings indicate that emojis, such as the Heart (❤️) and Crying Face (????), allow students to express emotions, clarify intentions, and build empathy. These results suggest that emojis play a crucial role in fostering supportive peer communication and overcoming the limitations of text-based interactions. This study highlights the importance of emojis in academic communication, creating a more inclusive and emotionally connected learning environment.