Journal of English for Specific Purposes in Indonesia

Integrating Critical Thinking into Indonesia's EFL Curriculum: Insights from Bengkulu Teachers

Adwitya Widya Dhari, Ira Maisarah — Fri, 07 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

In today's globalized world, the ability to communicate effectively in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) and critical thinking are indispensable skills for Indonesian students. However, traditional EFL curricula in Indonesia often prioritize linguistic competence and neglect critical thinking skills. This study explores the perspectives of EFL teachers in Bengkulu regarding their students' critical thinking skills and their views on integrating critical thinking instruction into the EFL curriculum. Using two adapted questionnaires, data was collected from 23 teachers in various educational institutions in Bengkulu. The results showed that although students demonstrated basic critical thinking concepts, they struggled with higher-order skills such as evaluating evidence objectively and anticipating consequences. Most teachers (91.3%) believe that teaching critical thinking is part of their job, and 65.2% support its incorporation into the EFL curriculum. However, 65.2% felt that they needed more training, and 34.8% were unsure about what critical thinking entailed. These findings underscore the need for a comprehensive curriculum overhaul in which critical thinking is woven throughout the language domain, supported by extensive teacher training, localized learning materials, and innovative assessments. By undertaking such reforms, Indonesia can nurture a generation of globally competent communicators capable of navigating the complexities of the 21st century.

Independence Curriculum Implementation Challenges: A Case Study in Secondary School of Bengkulu Tengah

Puspitasari Puspitasari, Ira Maisarah — Sun, 09 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The main goal of this study is to determine the difficulties that SMPN 18 Bengkulu Tengah, SMPN 14 Bengkulu Tengah, and SMPN 29 Bengkulu Tengah face in implementing the Merdeka Curriculum. This study employed a case study methodology and a qualitative research strategy. Six English teachers, the principal, and members of the school curriculum staff participated in this study. The results indicate that the teacher encountered challenges in implementing independent curriculum, including the provision of learning materials, the adjustment of students' learning styles, the creation of assessments, and the lack of adequate ICT resources. These findings highlight the need for improved resource allocation and support to ensure successful curriculum implementation.

An Exploration of High School Students’ Attitudes Towards Online English Language Learning

Chenda Soeurn, Ly Sovann, Nhean Voithna — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The attitude of students in language learning is progressively considered key success of language learning. However, high school students at the research setting find it challenging to study online. Therefore, students’ attitude towards online learning is very crucial to explore. To fulfill this study, the researcher created two main research objectives including the exploration of high school students’ attitudes toward learning the English language online, and the challenges of high school students while learning online. A quantitative method design was established to gather data. 236 high school students were requested to complete questionnaires This study discovered that most students had 17 items positive attitude towards learning English in online classes and 4 items with low agreement showing that online classes are not fun, and not easy to achieve high scores, and not relevant to gender causing EFL learners’ anxiety. In addition, students had a positive attitude towards 9 items of the usefulness of online learning to improve their skills and knowledge. They also showed a positive attitude toward online classes in the improvement of their four 21st-century competencies. Moreover, they agreed that online classes are accessible and convenient. However, they also faced some challenges in their learning such as spending much money on internet service, no internet connection, complicated online tools, no smart devices, and difficult to form activities. Based on the result, internet connection, online teaching and learning, and orientation should be provided and trained to students before implementing the programs.

Library Research: Teachers’ Difficulties and Strategies in Designing Lesson Plan Based on the Merdeka Curriculum

Dahlia, Ira Maisarah — Fri, 14 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The successful implementation of learning is dependent on the student and the teacher. Teachers play an important role in implementing the Merdeka Curriculum, so continuous professional development is essential to ensuring quality learning outcomes. Good teaching and the application of curriculum policies are supported by an efficient lesson plan. A lesson plan is an important component of teaching. Teachers must be able to create lesson plans appropriate to the material to be delivered, and teachers must also adjust to the character of their students when designing lesson plans. Some teachers still do not understand how to make lesson plans in the Merdeka Curriculum. The aim of this study was to examine teachers’ difficulties and strategies in designing lesson plans based on the Merdeka Curriculum. This study used a qualitative method. In collecting data, the authors used library research. The result stated that teachers have difficulty determining the learning approach, choosing a learning method, formulating the objective of learning based on the learning outcome, selecting the media in teaching, formulating differential material, formulating real-life context, designing lesson steps within time constraints, designing learning activities based on students’ interests, and formulating worksheets and assessments. The teachers can overcome this problem by: checking guidebooks, joining in-house training (IHT), attending the English Teacher Working Group (MGMP), using the Merdeka Mengajar platform, consulting with more seasoned colleagues, collaborating with other teachers, and adapting lesson plans.

Teachers' Responses to the Implementation of the Independent Curriculum in English Language Learning

Muhamad Kenzo Akbar, Ira Maisarah — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

A major pedagogical change has been established in SMPN 18 Bengkulu Tengah, an education institution categorized as independent change supporting an independent curriculum, letting schools choose and implement learning materials that are directly related to their needs and context. However, only seventh-grade teachers are currently utilizing the independent curriculum. This study examines the responses of a seventh-grade English teacher towards the Independent Curriculum implemented at the SMPN 18, a secondary school in Bengkulu Tengah, Indonesia. A qualitative approach was used along with descriptive analysis. In order to capture teachers' experiences, views, and challenges, it was necessary to conduct wide-ranging interviews with the teachers and carefully observe the classroom dynamics; especially for English language teaching. The findings indicate teachers' perspectives regarding the benefits and challenges of the new curriculum and strategies which they use for its effective implementation.

Stance Expression in Abstract Section of English Research Articles: How Are Cambodian and International Authors Different?

Thida Or, Soeurn Chenda, Sovann Ly, Voithna Nhean — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Stance is an academic writing trait relating to how writers interact and communicate with their audience through language. This research focuses on the following kinds of stance expressions and sub-classes: boosters, hedges, attitude indicators, and self-mentions written by Cambodian and international authors. This study analyzed a corpus of 30 abstracts of the research article using Antconc software and the Hyland (2005) analytical framework model. The abstracts were culled from high-quality papers in the following fields: international journals and Cambodian journals. A qualitative research design was used to explore answers to three research questions: (1) what types of stance expressions are employed in Cambodian and foreign authors' abstract parts of English research articles? (2) what do Cambodian and International authors employ the sub-category devices in their research abstracts? (3) what are the differences in stance expression of English research abstracts written by Cambodian and international authors? The findings of this study indicated that types of four stance expressions were presented in the abstract section of English research papers, with the hedge being the most commonly used among the other subtypes of stances. Within both journals, there is a substantial difference in the use frequency of the attitude self-mention and markers categories; however, there is none for hedges and boosters. This analysis suggested Cambodian authors seek the understanding of stance expression and consider following international authors as a model for writing stance expression in their research article abstract.

Students’ Perception toward English Online Assesment by Using Exambro

Marzon Efendi, Syafryadin — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The objective of the study is to find out the students’ perception toward English online assessment by using Exambro application. This research used descriptive quantitative methods. The data was collected by using a questionnaire from the eighth-grade students in one of favourite school. The questionnaire was adopted by the Shraim theory. It consists of six aspects, namely reliability, validity, pedagogy, security, practicality, and affective factors. This study involved 96 students who were separated into three classes. The SPSS program of computer was used in analysing the data from questionnaire. The data were analysed in quantitative way. The findings are the students have positive responses to all the aspects of perceptions toward online assessment. The highest mean is in security aspect. The mean is 4,13. Then the mean of validity (4,03), the reliability (3,80), the practicality (3,77), the pedagogy (3,50), the affective factors (3,30). From 18 statements in questionnaire, 17 statements got positive perception, while one perception which is about online assessment can reduce the stress and anxiety got the negative perception. The researcher suggests the next research to explore the parents’ perception toward online assessment by using Exambro application.