English Education Journal

INCORPORATING FREE WRITING TECHNIQUE IN ENGLISH CLASS: A CLASS ROOM ACTION RESEARCH TO IMPROVE STUDENTS’ WRITING ABILITY

La Dunifa, Jaida — Sat, 31 May 2025 00:00:00 +0800

This classroom action research aims to assist students overcome their writing problems and enhance the quality of their writing using freewriting technique. Specifically, the research aimed to address two research questions: (1) Is there any improvement on students’ writing quality through the implementation of free writing technique? (2) How is students’ perception toward the implementation of free writing technique? The research was carried out at SMPN 48 Buton during the even semester of academic-year 2023/2024 with 25 participants. The study was conducted in two cycles, with three steps in each cycle: preparation, implementation, and observation. Writing tests were applied to collect data on students’ writing performance, and students’ perceptions toward the application of freewriting technique were gathered through interview. The data were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. The results of the research shows that: (1) students’ writing quality is successful to be improved in two cycles of the implementation of freewriting technique, and (2) in general, students regard that their writing quality improve since freewriting technique is motivated, and the techique is also effective to reduce their writing anxiety. This implies that freewriting technique is significantly effective to improve students’ writing quality.

BEYOND THE RED PEN: EXPLORING EFL STUDENTS’ AUTONOMY AND STRUGGLES IN GRAMMAR CORRECTION

Yunita Widyantari, Kresna Rahma Aji — Sat, 31 May 2025 00:00:00 +0800

This study investigates how Grammarly, an automated writing feedback tool, supports the development of learner autonomy in grammar correction among EFL students; uncovers students’ perceptions of Grammarly’s role in grammar correction, their self-perceived responsibility in revision, and the challenges they face in becoming autonomous writers. This qualitative case study research involved ten students from the English Education Program at UIN Walisongo Semarang, representing both fifth and seventh semesters. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, classroom observations, and document analysis of student writing samples. The findings reveal that Grammarly contributes to learner autonomy by providing real-time, non-judgmental feedback that encourages revision and raises grammatical awareness. Students demonstrated increasing responsibility for their learning by combining Grammarly feedback with self-editing and peer consultation. However, challenges such as tool over-reliance, limited grammar knowledge, and emotional barriers were also evident. The study concludes that while Grammarly has significant potential to support grammar learning autonomy, its effectiveness depends on students’ critical engagement and reflective use. Pedagogical guidance is needed to help learners maximize the tool’s benefits and avoid passive dependence

THE EFFECT OF USING PICTURES SERIES ON STUDENTS’ WRITING PARAGRAPH AT SMAN 2 LAKUDO

La Mido, Ary Irjayanti Herman — Sat, 31 May 2025 00:00:00 +0800

The problem statement, “was there any significant differences effect on writing paragraph between group of students were taught by using pictures series and group on students who were taught with non using pictures series. The objective of this study was to find out if there was a significant differences effect on writing paragraph between group of students were taught by using pictures series and group on students who were taught with non using pictures series.”

The present research employed a non-equivalent control group design and was classified as a quasi-experimental design. The population of this research consisted of all second-grade students at SMAN 2 Lakudo, which is a senior high school with six classes and a total of 150 students. The sample for this study consisted of approximately two classes, each of which had twenty-five students, selected using the cluster random sampling technique. The objective assessment used in the present study was a paragraph-writing activity. The SPSS 13 program was employed to collect data through pretests, posttests, and analysis.

The findings of this study indicated that the use of picture series has a significant differential impact on students' paragraph writing when comparing those who taught by using picture series to those who taught without using pictures series. In this study, the experimental class (which received treatment using pictures) demonstrated greater comprehension of the text in comparison to the control class. This is evident in the mean score and the results of the ANOVA Analysis.

CULTURAL EXPRESSIONS IN PARENTING: FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE IN THE CIA-CIA LANGUAGE FOR EDUCATING CHILDREN IN WABULA DISTRICT

Juamdan Zamha Zamihu, Saifullah Saifullah — Sat, 31 May 2025 00:00:00 +0800

This qualitative study explores the role of cultural expressions, specifically figurative language in the Cia-Cia language, used by parents to educate their children in Wabula District, Buton Regency. The study aims to identify (1) the types of figurative expressions embedded in daily parent-child communication and (2) their influence on children's cognitive development. Data were gathered through naturalistic observation and semi-structured interviews with four parents who frequently use Cia-Cia in household interactions. The findings reveal that similes, hyperboles, idioms, and personifications are commonly used—often unconsciously—to communicate values, emotions, and abstract concepts. These figurative expressions not only enrich the children’s linguistic input but also facilitate imagination, critical thinking, and the internalization of cultural norms. The study highlights the educational potential of local language expressions in fostering both cognitive growth and cultural identity. Increasing parental awareness of the pedagogical power of figurative language could enhance intentional teaching practices within local cultural contexts

LINGUISTIC FEATURES OF INDONESIAN ENGLISH: EVIDENCE FROM PEDIATRICIANS, TVRI BROADCASTERS, AND WAITRESSES

Sanaria Maneba, Waode Hanafiah, Baharudin Adu, Nining Syafitri — Sat, 31 May 2025 00:00:00 +0800

This research investigates the linguistic features of English variety used by Indonesian speakers in professional settings, specifically among pediatricians, South Sulawesi TVRI broadcasters, and waitresses. The research addresses how occupational background and first language influence the use of English in spoken interactions. Employing a qualitative descriptive approach, data were collected through recorded interviews with seven participants from the three professions. The analysis focused on phonological, lexical, and syntactic features, revealing a range of linguistic phenomena such as vowel shifts, glottal stops, and code-switching, which reflect both regional accents and the speakers' social contexts. Notably, pediatricians showed phonological transfer from regional languages like Butonese and Buginese, while broadcasters demonstrated lexical borrowing and occasional formal register inconsistency. Waitresses exhibited simpler sentence structures with noticeable pronunciation influences from their vernaculars. The findings highlight how English spoken by Indonesian professionals is shaped not only by linguistic competence but also by sociolinguistic variables such as occupation, regional origin, and communicative purpose. This research contributes to the understanding of World Englishes and emphasizes the importance of sociolinguistic awareness in teaching and evaluating English proficiency in multilingual societies.