ETERNAL (English Teaching Journal) Journal title ETERNAL: English Teaching Journal Initials ETERNAL Abbreviation ETERNAL Frequency 2 issues per year (February & August) DOI Prefix 10.26877 by ISSN 2614-1639 (online) Editor-in-chief Th. Cicik Sophia Budiman, S.S., M.Pd. Publisher UPGRIS Press Citation Sinta 3 | Google Scholar | Garuda | Dimensions ETERNAL (English Teaching Journal) has been accredited as a scientific journal by the Ministry of Research and Technology/National Research and Innovation Agency of Republic Indonesia (Sinta 5): 200/M/KPT/2020 PERIOD: 2018-2022. ETERNAL (English Teaching Journal) is published twice a year in the month of February and August ISSN 2086-5473 (Print) and ISSN 2614-1639(Online). It presents articles on English language teaching and learnings, literature and research. The contents include analysis studies, application of theories, research reports, material developments and reviews.
Prodi Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris, FPBS, Universitas PGRI Semarang
Voices from Students: How do EFL Students Perceive the Implementation of Group Work in the Students-Created Video Speaking Project
This research investigates students’ perceptions of using group work and student-created videos in a Speaking for Professional Communication course. Working in groups of 4–5 members, students collaborated to produce video projects and role-play authentic situations. Data were collected through video documentation and questionnaires and analysed using descriptive and qualitative content analyses. The findings indicate that group work offers several significant educational benefits. It promotes students' creativity through collaborative idea generation and problem-solving, enhances communication skills by encouraging discussion and constructive interaction, and strengthens teamwork through shared responsibility and cooperation. In addition, collaborative learning improves students' understanding of the course content by allowing them to learn from peers and exchange different perspectives. Most importantly, group work creates meaningful learning experiences by fostering active engagement, increasing confidence, and developing essential interpersonal and collaborative competencies that extend beyond the classroom. It is also viewed as effective because it supports easier problem-solving, produces higher-quality outcomes, encourages open communication, boosts motivation, and promotes ongoing feedback. The findings revealed that students viewed the teacher's implementation of group work positively. They reported that the instructional approach facilitated effective communication by encouraging the exchange of ideas, strengthened collaboration through shared responsibilities and peer interaction, and enabled the teacher to identify students' academic challenges, monitor group dynamics, and provide appropriate instructional support. Additionally, students prefer group work because it helps build leadership, presentation, confidence, and motivation, making learning more active, engaging, and effective.
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Fostering AI Tools in Oral Fluency Developing among Khmer(1) EFL University Students: A Focus on English for Academic Purposes (EAP)
Artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted speaking tools have increasingly been integrated into English for Academic Purposes (EAP) instruction to support oral communication. However, limited research has examined how AI-mediated speaking practice influences oral fluency while simultaneously addressing speaking anxiety and learner autonomy among Khmer EFL university students. This study investigates the effects of AI-mediated speaking practice on the oral fluency, speaking anxiety, and learner autonomy of ten Khmer EFL university students. Using a qualitative case study with embedded quantitative fluency analysis, participants completed nine AI-assisted speaking sessions over a three-week intervention using the EAP Talk platform. Oral fluency was assessed through Praat acoustic analysis focusing on speaking ratio, repair phenomena, and pause placement, while reflective questionnaires and semi-structured interviews explored learners' perceptions of anxiety and autonomy. The findings indicate that participants demonstrated longer speaking duration and fewer repair phenomena following the intervention, while pause placement shifted toward more meaningful syntactic boundaries. Questionnaire and interview data also revealed reduced speaking anxiety and improved learner autonomy during AI-mediated practice. These findings suggest that AI-assisted speaking practice can provide supportive opportunities for developing oral fluency while fostering greater confidence and self-directed learning in EAP contexts. Nevertheless, the findings should be interpreted cautiously because of the small sample size and the absence of a comparison group. Future studies should employ larger samples, longer intervention periods, and experimental designs to provide stronger evidence regarding the effectiveness of AI-assisted speaking practice.
Constructing Motivational Meaning through Self-Mention Markers in Joshua Hong’s UNESCO Speeches
Motivational speeches by public figures play a critical role in inspiring audiences, fostering engagement, and promoting social responsibility. This study investigates how self-mention markers contribute to the construction of motivational meaning in Joshua Hong’s UNESCO speeches. Guided by Hyland’s (2005) interactional metadiscourse framework, a qualitative discourse analysis was conducted on two speeches delivered at the UNESCO Youth Forum (2023) and the Goodwill Ambassador for Youth Nomination Ceremony (2024). A total of 93 self-mention markers were identified, with we, our, and us being the most frequent. Four main functions were found: constructing collective identity, expressing commitment and responsibility, sharing personal experiences and authenticity, and highlighting perseverance and struggle. The findings indicate that motivational meaning is discursively constructed through these markers, fostering solidarity, credibility, collective responsibility, and resilience among audiences. Self-mention markers thus function as central interpersonal resources in motivational discourse, highlighting the role of strategic speaker positioning in shaping audience engagement and motivation.
Integrating Ecolinguistics into English Language Teaching: Opportunities and Challenges in Climate-Vulnerable Higher Education Contexts of Bangladesh
Ecolinguistics has generated growing theoretical interest in applied linguistics, yet empirical accounts of how teachers in climate-vulnerable, Global South contexts perceive and enact ecologically informed pedagogy remain scarce, with most existing literature drawn from Western and East Asian settings. This qualitative case study addresses that gap by examining how English language teachers in Khulna, Bangladesh, a coastal city bordering the Sundarbans mangrove forest. perceive the opportunities, constraints, and pedagogical value of integrating ecolinguistic perspectives into tertiary English Language Teaching (ELT). Guided by three research questions concerning perceived opportunities, structural barriers, and educational value, the study drew on semi-structured interviews with 15 teachers, interviews and classroom observations involving 40 students, and document analysis across four institutions, analyzed through Braun and Clarke’s reflexive thematic analysis. Findings revealed four interrelated themes: teachers held largely positive but operationally partial understandings of ecolinguistics; exam-oriented curricula, scarce materials, and limited training constituted the principal barriers to integration; locally grounded ecological issues, particularly the Sundarbans, salinity, and cyclones, generated marked learner engagement; and participants favored incremental, resource-based implementation over curricular overhaul. The study argues that ecolinguistic pedagogy in Khulna is constrained not by teacher resistance but by institutional and curricular unresponsiveness, offering implications for materials design, teacher training, and place-based language curricula in similarly vulnerable Global South contexts.
Indonesian Nursing Students’ Attributions on Their Improvements in English-Speaking Skills
For some people, speaking a foreign language might be exceptionally difficult. Some individuals have a natural aptitude for smooth communication, whereas others face challenges in acquiring this skill. The factors that contribute to individuals speaking a foreign language proficiently came under scrutiny. The objective of this research was to examine the attributions that nursing students had for their improvement in English-speaking skills. Attribution alone pertains to the justifications and rationales individuals offer for their advancement, accomplishment, or even lack thereof in a specific area, such as language acquisition. The study included a total of 38 nursing students from the Faculty of Nursing at Universitas Pelita Harapan in Indonesia. Data collection involved the utilization of open-ended questionnaires and interviews as the primary instruments. The participants were instructed to offer written responses to three items on the questionnaire. Additionally, during the interview phase, the researcher engaged nine participants to elaborate on their written responses from the questionnaire. The data analysis indicated that the primary factors contributing to the improvement of nursing students' English-speaking skills were the importance of doing speaking activities, internal motivation, and amicable learning environment.
Storytelling in Elementary Education: A Systematic Literature Review on Literacy Development
This study presents a systematic literature review on the role of storytelling in elementary education, with a particular focus on its impact on literacy development and vocabulary acquisition in Indonesian EFL context. Drawing on 75 articles published in Scopus, Eric and Sinta database from 2020 to 2025 between synthesized findings across diverse methodologies, and mixed method design. Results consistently enhance vocabulary mastery, learner engagement, and early literacy skills by providing contextualized language input, repeated word exposure, and opportunities for meaningful communication. Storytelling activities were also found to foster motivation, cultural identity, and multimodal literacy awareness, making them developmentally appropriate and pedagogically effective for young learners. The review concludes that storytelling is not merely a complementary classroom activity but a powerful instructional strategy that supports holistic literacy development and strengthens vocabulary acquisition in Indonesian elementary education.
Translation Method in English-Indonesia Selected Sentences of Harry Potter and The Order of Phoenix
Translation plays a crucial role in transferring meaning across languages, particularly in literary works where linguistic and cultural elements require careful interpretation and adaptation. However, differences in linguistic structure and cultural context often create challenges in the transfer of meaning between source and target languages. This study aims to identify the translation methods applied at the sentence level in the English–Indonesian translation of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and to examine how these methods are used in transferring meaning from the source language to the target language. A qualitative descriptive approach was employed, with data consisting of five selected sentences analyzed using Newmark’s (1988) translation methods framework. The findings reveal that two translation methods are applied: literal translation and semantic translation. Semantic translation is the most frequently used method (60%), while literal translation appears in 40% of the data. The analysis shows that both methods contribute to meaning transfer, although they differ in their approach to conveying linguistic and contextual elements. This study contributes to translation studies by providing a focused sentence-level analysis and demonstrating how translators employ different translation methods according to contextual needs. The findings offer practical insights for literary translators and educators in English–Indonesian translation contexts.
Contrastive Study of Deep Learning in Senior and Vocational High School English Instruction
This study aims to analyze differences in the implementation of deep learning in English language instruction at Senior High Schools (SMA) and Vocational High Schools (SMK). This study employs a qualitative descriptive method, utilizing data collection techniques such as observation and interviews with two English teachers at SMA and two English teachers at SMK. The data were analyzed using an interactive analysis model that includes data collection, data reduction, data presentation, and drawing conclusions. The results of the study indicate that the implementation of deep learning in both educational levels equally apply the principles of meaningful, joyful, and mindful learning. In high schools, learning focuses more on developing critical thinking and communication skills through activities such as speaking classes and group discussions linked to students’ daily lives. Meanwhile, in vocational high schools, learning is more oriented toward workplace needs, such as job interview simulations, writing job applications, and skill-based projects aligned with students’ fields of expertise. The main difference lies in the orientation of learning, where high schools emphasize academic and communication aspects, while vocational high schools place greater emphasis on work readiness and vocational contexts. Nevertheless, both levels share the same goal: to create active, meaningful, and relevant learning experiences for students.
Integrating Gamification into Skimming and Scanning Strategies to Enhance English as a Foreign Language (EFL) Students’ Reading Test Performance
Passive reading habits and limited strategic comprehension under timed conditions remain persistent challenges in Indonesian EFL classrooms, underscoring the urgent need for more purposeful and engaging instructional approaches. This study examined the effectiveness of integrating gamification into skimming and scanning instruction to improve EFL students' reading test performance through a quasi-experimental design. Two intact classes of eighth-grade students were compared, where the experimental group taught with Wordwall-based gamified activities and the control group with conventional instruction. Results revealed that the experimental group achieved significantly higher gains in reading speed, accuracy, and comprehension, supported by statistical evidence (t = 12.334, p < 0.001; Cohen’s d = 0.851). Classroom observations further documented marked improvements in engagement, participation, motivation, reading speed, and accuracy throughout the intervention. These results demonstrate that gamified digital instruction provides a reliable, theoretically grounded, and replicable pedagogical scaffold for fostering strategic reading competency, particularly within Indonesian junior high school contexts.
Students' Voices on the Implementation of Gen-AI Feedback in EFL Writing Classroom
The proliferation of generative artificial intelligence (Gen-AI) in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) writing instruction has sparked considerable scholarly interest, yet the subjective experiences and voices of learners who engage with AI-generated feedback remain insufficiently explored within the extant literature. This qualitative study investigates students' voices concerning the implementation of Gen-AI feedback in an EFL writing classroom, specifically examining their perceptions, patterns of engagement, development of feedback literacy, and the inherent tensions between learner autonomy and technological dependency. Adopting a qualitative research design, data were collected through four focus group discussions involving 30 purposively selected undergraduate students enrolled in an EFL writing course at a private university in Surakarta. Thematic analysis of the transcribed discussions, conducted in accordance with Braun and Clarke's (2006) framework, yielded five interrelated themes: perceived usefulness of Gen-AI feedback, patterns of feedback engagement, development of feedback literacy, tension between autonomy and dependency, and emotional and ethical responses. The findings reveal that students perceived Gen-AI feedback as highly useful for enhancing writing quality, revision efficiency, and idea generation; however, they did not passively accept all AI-generated suggestions but rather demonstrated selective engagement, critically evaluating feedback based on its relevance to higher-order writing concerns, including content and organization. Additionally, participants reported developing feedback literacy over time, evidenced by increased awareness of their writing weaknesses and improved capacity to interpret and strategically utilize AI feedback. Nevertheless, uneven development across participants indicated that feedback literacy does not emerge automatically through mere exposure to Gen-AI tools. A critical tension also emerged between learner autonomy and dependency, with several students expressing over-reliance on AI for revision tasks. Emotional and ethical responses included heightened confidence alongside scepticism regarding AI accuracy and concerns pertaining to academic integrity. The findings suggest that the pedagogical effectiveness of Gen-AI feedback is not determined solely by its technological affordances but is significantly mediated by learners' engagement, critical awareness, and feedback literacy. This study contributes to the literature by demonstrating that understanding students' voices is crucial for developing context-sensitive and pedagogically sound AI integration strategies, with implications for educators and curriculum designers seeking to implement Gen-AI feedback in effective, ethical, and learner-centred ways.
Flouting Gricean Maxims in High-Context Communication: Evidence from Asian Boss Street Interviews
This study examines how conversational maxims are flouted in high-context cultures through a pragmatic analysis of a YouTube video from Asian Boss Channel. The purpose of this study is to observe how the Gricean Maxims of Quality, Quantity, Relation, and Manner are flouted by the interviewees who originally came from a high-context culture region. This study also observes how these flouted conversations reflect on their communication flows. This study draws on the qualitative approach; data were collected from video transcriptions and observation of the videos containing spontaneous street interviews in the channel. Selected utterances were chosen through purposive sampling based on their maxim violations. The findings reveal that responders often flout maxims, especially those of Quality and Quantity, as a strategy to maintain politeness, avoid directness, and convey implied meanings. Flouting a maxim in such contexts often reflects culturally informed strategies rather than conversational breakdowns, aligning with implicit norms within the speaker’s cultural settings. This study reveals that flouting maxims is a common feature of communication in high-context cultures. These findings of the study offer insight into the crossing of pragmatics and cross-cultural communication and may contribute to a deeper understanding of language use in multicultural communication contexts.
Enhancing Paragraph Completeness through MASS-MISS Technique in EFL Academic Writing Instruction
This research aims to investigate the impact of targeted instructional technique on students' paragraph writing abilities. The primary objective is to determine whether implementing Major Supporting Sentence (MASS) and Minor Supporting Sentence (MISS) techniques can significantly enhance the completeness of students' paragraph writing. The research employs a pre-experimental design, involving a one-group pre-test and post-test approach to assess the effectiveness of the treatment. Initially, students’ paragraph writing abilities were evaluated via a pre-test, which established a baseline for their competencies across various writing dimensions. The subsequent treatment, which included explicit instruction in placing MASS and MISS within paragraph writing. Post-treatment analysis revealed a significant enhancement in students' abilities to organize and articulate their thoughts in writing. The results indicated that the implementation of MASS and MISS not only improved the depth of their content but also the overall coherence and flow of their paragraphs. Statistical analysis demonstrated a substantial increase in post-test scores compared to pre-test scores, suggesting that the instructional techniques effectively addressed the weaknesses previously observed in student writing. Moreover, the effectiveness of the MASS and MISS techniques illustrates the potential for structured approaches to transform students' writing experiences
Between National Identity and Global Mindset: A Cross-Grade Cultural Analysis in Indonesia’s State-Endorsed English Textbooks
The present study examined three English coursebooks published by the Indonesian Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology (MoECRT) for Grades 6, 9, and 12 in 2022. Using a mixed-methods explanatory sequential design, cultural occurrences were coded with Cortazzi and Jin’s (1999) framework, and the official documents were analyzed using directed content analysis to interpret and explain the identified cultural patterns. The result found that the source (Indonesian) culture dominated every coursebook, accounting for 97.5% of content in Grade 6, 90% in Grade 9, and 70% in Grade 12. Although the inclusion of target and international cultures increased with grade level, their representation remained limited. Target culture rose from 0% in Grade 6 to 3% in Grade 9 to 19% in Grade 12, and international culture from 2.5% to 7% to 11%. The document analysis showed that this source-culture dominance aligned with the Merdeka curriculum’s emphasis on preserving national identity and local culture. On the other hand, the absence of target culture at the primary level and the scarcity of both target and international cultures across all three grades contradicted the curriculum's stated objective of developing a global mindset and intercultural competence. The study offers the first cross-grade comparison of cultural representation within a single Indonesian curriculum and recommends a meaningful increase in the inclusion of content on target and international cultures in future state-endorsed English coursebooks in Indonesia.
Implementation of Deep Learning Approach on Learning English at SMP Islam Tathmainul Quluub
This study analyzes the use of deep learning approaches in English teaching at SMP Islam Tathmainul Quluub, Sindang, Indramayu, focusing on meaningful, mindful, and joyful learning. Using a qualitative case study method, the research includes participatory observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation analysis. The findings indicate that educators successfully apply three main aspects of deep learning while adapting to the local context. Meaningful learning is achieved by connecting lessons to local issues, mindful learning through planned metacognitive strategies, and joyful learning by incorporating local cultures. Teachers face challenges with digital infrastructure when implementing hybrid learning models, and focus on strengthening their skills through ongoing professional development. Positive impacts include improved critical thinking, character development, social skills aligned with the '6C' concept, and increased student motivation. This application model demonstrates how schools in coastal areas can transform learning by integrating cognitive, social-emotional, and cultural elements.
Evaluating the TSENCYDENT Routine: A Comprehensive Analysis of Students’ Perceptions on Learning Environment, Speaking Fluency, and Confidence in an Indonesian EFL Context
Speaking anxiety and limited feedback opportunities in large classes pose significant challenges to developing English speaking fluency in Indonesian high school contexts. This study evaluates students’ perceptions of the Tsencydent routine, a brief, structured warm-up activity designed to address these issues. Employing a convergent mixed-methods design, data were collected via questionnaires and open-ended responses from 20 students at a Muhammadiyah senior high school in Padang Panjang and analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Findings indicate that students generally perceived the routine as useful in fostering a low-pressure learning environment, which appeared to reduce anxiety and increase comfort compared to formal speaking assessments. Commonly reported benefits included perceived growth in vocabulary, improved speaking fluency, and greater self-confidence, often attributed to immediate and constructive teacher feedback. Most students recommended the routine’s continued use. Based on these findings, the study proposes that the Tsencydent routine may serve as a practical pedagogical approach that combines affective support with scaffolded language practice, presenting a possible framework for EFL classrooms facing similar constraints.
Assessing Speaking Skills in English Matriculation Classes: Challenges and Strategies
This research revealed two main issues regarding speaking assessment, that is students’ low speaking confidence and low vocabulary mastery. These two issues hampered students in delivering their ideas fluently and do not speak well in the speaking assessment. To solve the problems, the researcher employed some strategies. This study aimed at describing the problems of the learners and the approaches used by the teacher in carrying out speaking tests in a matriculation class of MAN 1 Blitar. Qualitative descriptive approach with 34 students as subject, the data was collected by conducting class observation, conducting interview with English teacher and some students, and analysing students’ speaking performance tasks. The result showed that some students were reluctant to speak because of fear of making mistakes, lack of self-confidence, and lack of vocabulary. The teacher used three strategies which are providing vocabulary support, conducting group discussion, and providing formative feedback to help students in doing speaking assessments. The result showed that some students were reluctant to speak because of fear of making mistakes, lack of self-confidence, and lack of vocabulary. The teacher used three strategies which are providing vocabulary support, conducting group discussion, and providing formative feedback to help students in doing speaking assessments. This research reveals the students’ problems in speaking assessment and the teacher’s strategy in conducting speaking assessments in matriculation class. The teacher’s scaffolding strategy helps students in delivering ideas fluently and speaking well. The result demonstrates the importance of considering both effective and linguistic factors in conducting speaking assessment. The result might be used as the reference for English teacher to conduct better speaking assessment.
Exploring the Impact of AI Chatbots on Students’ Speaking Skills in EFL Learners: A Systematic Review
AI chatbot is one of the latest technologies in solving EFL students' problems with speaking anxiety and limited speaking practice. In this study, we conduct a Systematic Literature Review for the investigation of the effect of using AI chatbots on EFL students' speaking skills and learners' perceptions toward the use of AI chatbots in speaking skill improvement. We followed the SALSA framework, which includes Search, Appraisal, Synthesis, and Analysis to direct our work. We searched Lens.org and Google Scholar databases for articles. The articles published from 2020 to 2025. We also conducted a thematic analysis within 24 identified articles. Overall, evidence shows students benefit greatly by practicing with AI chatbots. Students who do so make gains in vocabulary, grammar, fluency, pronunciation, and foreign language speaking anxiety (FLSA) and thus feel more motivated to communicate in the target language, as students find bots to be a less critical audience. However, this meta-analysis did find a lack of evidence about the disadvantages of chatbot use. There are also the general limitations of AI, such as the tendency to output the same response for different inputs, and AI's inability to replace the teacher's contextual feedback. Thus, the study finds that AI chatbots are an effective and useful tool for improving EFL speaking ability when used in moderation and as a complement to teacher-led instruction in the classroom.
Discourse Analysis of Students’ Writing: The Interplay Between Critical Thinking and Academic Vocabulary Use in Two Indonesian EFL Universities
This study examines how critical thinking and academic vocabulary (breadth and depth) influence the discourse features of undergraduate essays at Universitas PGRI Semarang and Universitas PGRI Madiun. Using a comparative qualitative design with quantitative indicators, the research analyzed student texts, vocabulary assessments, and interviews to evaluate coherence, cohesion, and argumentative clarity. Findings indicate that higher critical engagement correlates with more stable rhetorical sequencing and a clearer authorial stance. Furthermore, students with stronger vocabulary resources demonstrated more precise lexical choices and varied academic expressions. The comparison reveals that systematic scaffolding at Universitas PGRI Semarang fosters more coherent discourse, whereas irregular instruction at Universitas PGRI Madiun leads to greater variability in writing quality. The results underscore the necessity of an integrated pedagogy that combines critical-thinking development, explicit vocabulary enrichment, and discourse-focused instruction to enhance academic writing in Indonesian EFL contexts.
Figurative Language in Selected Song Lyrics of NIKI’s Nicole Album
Despite the extensive studies on figurative language in song lyrics, limited research has specifically explored emotional functions of figurative language in contemporary pop albums by Asian artists, particularly in NIKI’s Nicole album. This study aims to examine figurative language used in the lyrics of a few of NIKI’s songs from the Nicole album. This study employed a descriptive qualitative method focusing on documents through content analysis. The primary data of this study were a few chosen tracks from NIKI's Nicole album with an emphasis on the lyrics of the songs investigated. To examine the data, the songs were listened to several times, and the lyrics were carefully read to comprehend meanings of the metaphorical language. The data were gathered based on the categories of metaphorical language and categorized for further examination. Findings revealed that eight songs used 75 different types of figurative language which included metaphor as the most frequently used type. The five varieties of figurative language included personification, simile, hyperbole, irony, and metaphor. The use of figurative language created intense emotional expressions which included regret and despair and melancholy. The study demonstrates that song lyrics achieve their highest poetic and beautiful and emotional effects through the use of figurative language which also helps to express the song's main message.
Improving Applied Business Administration Students’ Reading Comprehension and Vocabulary Acquisition by Using Quizlet
This study investigates the integration of Quizlet as a digital tool to enhance English reading comprehension and vocabulary acquisition among second-semester Applied Business Administration students at Politeknik Negeri Ambon. The study addresses the urgent need to support ESP students who often struggle with discipline-specific reading due to limited academic vocabulary and low engagement, particularly in vocational higher education contexts. Using a mixed-methods design, data were collected from 45 students through pre-tests and post-tests, classroom observations, reflective journals, interviews, and Quizlet usage logs. Over eight instructional sessions, students engaged with Business Administration reading texts supported by Quizlet activities, including flashcards, games, and cumulative quizzes. Quantitative data were analyzed using paired-samples t-tests and effect size calculations to examine learning gains, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically to explore patterns of engagement and learner perceptions. The findings revealed significant improvements in vocabulary retention (+22.5) and reading comprehension (+23.2), with strong effect sizes. Weekly accuracy rates increased from 61% to 86%, and student engagement rose markedly, with active participation improving from 55% to 91%. Reflective data indicated a positive shift in students’ attitudes toward reading, from perceiving it as monotonous to viewing it as useful and engaging. These results highlight the pedagogical significance of integrating Quizlet as a supportive tool for fostering vocabulary development, reading comprehension, and learner engagement in ESP instruction.
Digital Storytelling with Scratch as a Pedagogical Tool to Enhance Reading Comprehension
Reading comprehension is a foundational skill underpinning students’ success in language learning, critical thinking, and academic achievement. However, many EFL learners experience difficulties engaging with extended and complex texts when reading instruction lacks creative and multimodal elements. This classroom-based study explores undergraduate English Literature students’ perceptions of using Scratch-based digital storytelling in a reading course at the English Literature Department of the Faculty of Law and Language, Universitas STIKUBANK. Grounded in constructivist learning and multimodal literacy theories, the study examines how the integration of technology, creativity, and narrative production is perceived to support students’ engagement with literary texts. Thirty-five students participated in a six-week digital storytelling project in which they digitally retold literary stories using Scratch. Data were collected through a validated 10-item questionnaire (Cronbach’s α = .94) and open-ended student reflections. The findings indicate that students perceived Scratch as an engaging platform that supported their understanding of story structure, character motivation, and thematic meaning. Students also reported increased collaboration, confidence, and enjoyment during reading activities. While the findings are perception-based, the study suggests that Scratch-based digital storytelling holds pedagogical potential for supporting students’ engagement with literary texts, interpretive processes, and digital literacy in EFL literature classrooms, thereby contributing to Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education).
Analysis of Peer Feedback Effects on Students’ Achievement in Writing Fantasy Stories
This study aims to examine the effectiveness of peer feedback in improving Grade 11 students’ achievement in writing fantasy stories.. The research used purposive sampling with 36 participants. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study combines quantitative analysis of pre-test and post-test writing scores with qualitative insights from questionnaires and interviews to examine both the measurable impact and students’ perceptions of peer feedback in writing fantasy stories. Quantitative results revealed a statistically significant improvement in students’ writing performance, with the mean score increasing from M = 87.86 (SD = 2.58) on the pre-test to M = 92.56 (SD = 2.27) on the post-test, representing an approximate 14,67% gain (p < .01). Qualitative findings reveal that students perceive peer feedback as beneficial for enhancing creativity, structure, and idea development in their fantasy stories, as well as for fostering critical thinking and collaboration. The findings suggest that integrating peer feedback into writing instruction can enhance both students’ linguistic skills and creative engagement.
EFL Teacher’s Perspectives on Integrating AI into Reading Comprehension Teaching in Papua
This study explores EFL teachers’ perspectives on integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies into reading comprehension instruction in Papua, Indonesia. This study employed a quantitative descriptive survey, conducted with 17 teachers from elementary, junior high, and senior high schools. Data were collected through an online questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Findings showed that teachers were generally familiar with AI and express confidence in its use, particularly with widely accessible tools such as ChatGPT and Grammarly. Teachers viewed AI as beneficial for enhancing comprehension and providing personalized support, yet remained cautious about its potential to motivate students. Challenges on AI usage included lack of training, limited infrastructure, and ethical concerns such as plagiarism and student over-reliance. Teachers emphasized the importance of having access to AI-based tools, opportunities for peer collaboration, and focused professional development in order to overcome these challenges. The study indicates that although integrating AI has the potential to enhance reading comprehension, adoption of this technology is still at a transitional stage. Clear ethical standards, fair resource distribution, and teacher-centered training will all be necessary for successful implementation.
Linguistic Grooming in Higher Education: A Forensic Discourse Analysis of Power, Manipulation, and Symbolic Control in Academic Relations
This study examines how language operates as a tool of manipulation in academic grooming within Indonesian higher education. Using a qualitative forensic-linguistic approach integrating Critical Discourse Analysis, Speech Act Theory, and Thematic Analysis, it analyses approximately 850 utterances from authentic lecturer–student communications, supplemented by interviews with six victims and one expert. The findings show that grooming unfolds through three interrelated linguistic mechanisms, affective persuasion, instrumental exploitation, and symbolic control, that gradually transform professional discourse into emotional dependency and compliance. Affective and instrumental lexis dominates grooming communication (71%), embedding coercion within rhetoric of care, mentorship, and professionalism, and producing discursive entrapment in which victims internalise control as trust. The study proposes a Forensic Linguistic Indicator Model (FLIM) for the early detection of grooming language, conceptualising academic grooming as institutionalised linguistic coercion and offering policy-relevant insights for safeguarding and prevention in higher education.
Exploring EFL Teachers’ Beliefs and Practices of Oral Corrective Feedback Across Different Grades
Oral corrective feedback is an essential part in learning English as a foreign language. Teachers' beliefs about oral corrective feedback generally underlie their practices, but some studies showed that sometimes there is a mismatch between teachers' beliefs and actual practices. Previous studies also found that students with different grades have different expectations about oral corrective feedback, making it important for teachers to understand it. Based on the previous findings, this study aimed to examine teachers’ beliefs and practices of oral corrective feedback for students across different grades. This study was a qualitative study, with data collection techniques using interviews and observations. The data was analyzed using thematic analysis. The participants in this study were two early secondary school English teachers located in Yogyakarta. The findings showed that teachers have a positive belief in the importance of oral corrective feedback. Teachers' beliefs about the oral corrective feedback timing match their actual practices. However, there was a mismatch between the strategies believed by grade 7 teachers and actual practices. It showed that teachers adjusted their oral corrective feedback strategies to the real conditions. Overall, the teachers’ practices produced positive uptake from students. This finding emphasized the importance of flexibility in the oral corrective feedback application according to the classroom context.
Pre-Service EFL Teachers’ Perceptions of Formative Assessment Literacy in Indonesian
The current study investigates the formative assessment literacy of Indonesian pre-service English teachers by adopting a sequential mixed-method approach. The survey data revealed that participants had a moderate level of formative assessment literacy (M = 3.02), with varying scores across three components. The conceptual domain scored the highest (M = 3.12), followed by the socio-emotional domain (M = 2.98) and the practical domain (M = 2.96). The second finding gained from the second part of the survey and from interview sessions indicated five different challenges encountered by the participants in practicing formative assessment. The issues raised by the participants were related to limited support from their institution, their heavy teaching workload, lack of digital literacy, their students’ low learning motivation, and the participants’ inadequate assessment skills and knowledge. Although this study has several limitations, it provides several implications, such as the urgency of providing training for teachers to help them improve their assessment literacy.
Exploring EFL Learners’ Emotional Engagement with Authentic English Captions in Digital Reading
In the digital era, social media has become a prominent source of authentic English input for English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners. While previous studies have emphasized benefits such as vocabulary enhancement, motivation, and digital literacy, little attention has been given to how learners emotionally engage with emotionally charged captions frequently encountered on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and X. Despite their linguistic simplicity, these captions frequently elicit emotional responses and personal reflection, indicating a potential role in language learning that extends beyond traditional comprehension. The present study investigates EFL learners’ emotional and cognitive engagement with such captions and examines how these factors relate to language learning behaviours. Employing a qualitative methodology, semi-structured interviews were conducted with purposively selected participants who regularly interact with English-language content on social media. Thematic analysis identified five principal themes: emotional resonance, cognitive reflection, language learning behaviour, platform influence, and frequency of exposure. Participants described translating captions, reflecting on personal experiences, and observing vocabulary growth as outcomes of engaging with emotionally charged texts. Participant reported that emotional connection appeared to support their comprehension and vocabulary acquisition, particularly when content aligned with their personal experiences. This study highlights the significance of affective factors in digital reading contexts and offers preliminary evidence that social media texts can function as meaningful resources in English language learning.
Enhancing Speaking Skills through Digital Storytelling: A case study
This research assessed how digital storytelling (DST) could enhance the junior high school students' oral proficiency skills in speaking the English language in the context of Islamic schooling in Indonesia. The research deployed a quasi – experimental design within the context of an Islamic school setting. The sample consisted of 64 students. 31 students comprised the experimental class who received instruction through the use of DST while 33 students made the control class who were taught using traditional instructional techniques. The data was collected through administered tests which assessed the students' speaking through various parameters. To understand the progress of the student's scores within the two groups the Wilcoxon signed-rank test was utilized. It was found out that all of the students improved in their speaking skills but the experimental group had higher scores. This shows DST has a high positive effect on students’ oral performance. DST gave positive impact on student's enthusiasm, teamwork and confidence in using the language was also noted. The students’ level of DST speaking discipline was high which suggests the technique is useful. The implications of this study point towards DST to strengthen the students’ motivation, performance and speaking competency.
­­Bridging Languages: How EMI Teachers Use Language-related Teaching Strategies in their Classrooms
The rapid expansion of English-medium Instruction (EMI) in higher education worldwide presents opportunities and challenges, particularly in non-English-s contexts. While EMI aims to enhance global competitiveness, academic quality, and intercultural awareness, its implementation often faces language-related barriers affecting both students and instructors. This study investigated the language-related teaching strategies international EMI teachers employed to facilitate content delivery and enhance student comprehension. Specifically, it explored the instructional and regulative discourse strategies utilized in EMI classrooms. A case study approach was employed, focusing on two international EMI teachers at a private university in Indonesia. Data were collected through classroom observations, stimulated recall, and semi-structured interviews. Findings reveal that teachers used various instructional strategies, including demonstrations, visual aids, synonyms, and code-switching, to bridge linguistic gaps and support content comprehension. Regulative strategies such as building rapport and checking comprehension were also frequently utilized to create an inclusive learning environment. Teachers perceived these strategies as effective in mitigating language-related barriers and fostering engagement among students with varying English proficiency levels. This study underscores the importance of language awareness in EMI pedagogy and offers insights into effective teaching strategies for non-language faculty delivering content in English.
Undergraduate Students’ English Self-Efficacy and Technology-Assisted Self-Regulated Learning
Greater access to learning sources resulting from the advancement of the Internet and information technology helps students regulate their learning habits and achieve specific learning targets, including English language learning. This study analyzed English self-efficacy and technology-assisted self-regulated learning strategies among undergraduate students and how the two variables correlate. A total of 510 undergraduate students at Sam Ratulangi University, Indonesia, participated in the study. Two sets of questionnaires, including the Questionnaire of English Self-Efficacy (QESE) and the Technology-Based Self-Regulated Learning Strategy Questionnaire (TSRLQ), were administered in data collection. The data analyses included descriptive statistics and bivariate Pearson correlation calculations. This study found a heterogeneous profile of English self-efficacy and technology-assisted SRL. Meanwhile, the Pearson correlation calculation results revealed that English self-efficacy was significantly correlated with technology-assisted SRL in a positive direction. Thus, this study suggests that more efficacious students are more likely to apply technology-assisted SRL in their English language learning.