Articles

Ethnopedagogy in English Language Teaching: Teacher Beliefs and Implementation of Brain-Based and Cultural Approaches in Senior High Schools, Tana Toraja

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This study investigates ethnopedagogical strategies in English Language Teaching (ELT) through the lens of teacher beliefs, specifically examining how Toraja cultural approaches are integrated by senior high school English teachers in Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Employing a qualitative case study design, data were collected from three English teachers through semi-structured interviews and classroom observations, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings reveal that all three teachers hold strong and positive beliefs that integrating Toraja local culture including rituals, folklore, traditional food, and sacred sites facilitates students’ comprehension, memory retention, and confidence. Teachers view ethnopedagogy not only as an instructional strategy but as a moral responsibility to preserve Toraja culture and instill character values. Implementation analysis shows that ethnopedagogical strategies are most consistently applied in opening activities, speaking simulations, and closing reflections, while gaps remain in the use of culturally diverse audio-visual media and listening skill development. This study contributes to the growing body of research on culturally responsive ELT in indigenous contexts and recommends integrating ethnopedagogy with systematic professional development for teachers in culturally rich but under-resourced regions.

Differentiated Instruction for Slow Learner Inclusion Students in English Language Teaching: Challenges and Opportunities

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Despite the growing recognition of differentiated instruction for diverse learners, its implementation for slow learner inclusion students in English language teaching within resource-constrained Indonesian schools remains underexplored. This study investigates the implementation of differentiated learning models for slow learner inclusion students at SMPN 1 Rembon, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, focusing on the challenges these students face and the impact of differentiated instruction on their learning motivation and competence. Employing a qualitative case study approach, data were collected through in-depth interviews with nine slow learner inclusion students, two English teachers, and two homeroom teachers, complemented by classroom observations and document analysis. Thematic analysis was conducted within Miles and Huberman’s interactive framework. The findings revealed eight major challenges confronting slow learner inclusion students: negative emotional responses, perceived difficulty of English, comprehension failures, falling behind during instruction, need for extended learning time, vocabulary deficits, affective barriers, and environmental obstacles. Following differentiated learning implementation, four significant positive impacts emerged: improved comprehension and language skills demonstrated by increased ability in writing simple commands (from 20% to 75%), enhanced participation rates (from 75% to 85%), strengthened intrinsic motivation and self-confidence, and development of independent learning habits. Teachers identified five implementation challenges and employed eight effective strategies including content differentiation, discovery learning, parent collaboration, and individual learning plans. The study concludes that despite infrastructural and pedagogical constraints in peripheral educational settings, targeted differentiation strategies can substantially improve learning outcomes for slow learner inclusion students. These findings contribute original insights into differentiated instruction in the Indonesian ELT context, challenging the assumption that effective inclusion requires resource-intensive interventions while providing evidence-based recommendations for creating inclusive learning environments that advance educational equity in the Global South.

Deep Learning as a Transformative Pedagogical Model for Critical Thinking Development in Indonesian Vocational English Education

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The integration of critical thinking in vocational English education is increasingly urgent for 21st-century workforce preparation. However, vocational schools in developing countries like Indonesia struggle to move beyond rote memorization toward reflective learning. This study investigates how deep learning is enacted to develop critical thinking in English classrooms and identifies implementation challenges in Indonesian vocational education. Using a qualitative design, in-depth interviews were conducted with five English teachers at vocational high schools in Tana Toraja, Indonesia. Data were analyzed using Miles and Huberman’s interactive model. Findings reveal that teachers enact deep learning through contextualized materials aligned with students’ vocational fields, higher-order questioning, collaborative activities (project-based learning and discussions), facilitative teaching roles, and supportive classroom climates. These practices foster students’ ability to analyze problems, question information, defend arguments, and transfer critical thinking beyond the classroom. However, implementation faces significant challenges: teacher-level factors (time limitations, conceptual gaps, administrative burden); student-related challenges (mixed abilities, low confidence, unpreparedness for independent learning); institutional barriers (limited technology, assessment complexities); and cultural factors where respect for authority hinders questioning. The study implies that sustainable critical thinking development requires multi-level interventions: context-specific professional development, reduced administrative workload, improved infrastructure, curriculum reforms prioritizing depth over breadth, and culturally responsive pedagogies.

Exploring Business Cultural Elements in A College-Level English Textbook

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English textbooks are regarded as the “tangible heart” of any ELT program, so effective communication may require learners to develop intercultural understanding. This study aims to explore the way cultural elements are represented through different aspects in the textbook Business Plus 1 (Helliwell, 2014). A detailed analysis of the cultural content was conducted based on the theoretical framework of Cortazzi & Jin (1999), while also being examined through Kachru’s (1992) model. The findings indicate that international culture appears most frequently – particularly Asian culture – followed by target culture, and least of all, learners’ source culture. Furthermore, countries in the Expanding Circle dominate the textbook, conveying the message that local culture is not given primacy, unlike the tradition of many foreign language teaching (FLT) materials.