English, as an international language, plays a crucial role in education and other aspects of life. However, many students, particularly those in Class VIII.7 at SMP Negeri 8 Banda Aceh, face difficulties in learning English. Their low motivation and lack of interest are evident from behaviors such as talking during lessons, disturbing classmates, not paying attention to the teacher, and struggling to understand the material. This lack of motivation is believed to stem from monotonous and unengaging teaching methods. This study aims to enhance students’ motivation and interest in learning Procedure Text by integrating the online learning platform Quizizz. Conducted in two cycles, this Classroom Action Research involved 32 students as participants. Data was collected through participatory observation and documentation of students’ learning outcomes. The findings reveal that the use of Quizizz significantly improved students’ motivation and interest in learning Procedure Text. This was reflected in increased active participation, enthusiasm during quizzes, and higher average scores in each cycle. Moreover, most students found Quizizz engaging, interactive, and enjoyable, with its instant feedback feature further motivating them to learn. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that Quizizz is an effective learning tool for enhancing students’ motivation and interest in learning Procedure Text. Therefore, teachers are encouraged to incorporate online learning platforms like Quizizz to create a more dynamic and engaging learning environment.

This study aims to explore the power of nationalism in Toba Dreams, a based on a true story film adapted from a novel by TB Silalahi. Released in 2015, the film explores a deep representation of nationalism. Set against the backdrop of the Batak Toba culture in Indonesia, the film vividly depicts the complex relationship between identity, culture, and nationalism. This study focuses on analyzing how the film conveys various elements of nationalism, such as character building, patriotism, responsibility, solidarity, and sacrifice. This study uses a qualitative approach, drawn from film analysis, sociocultural theory, and historical perspectives on nationalism. By analyzing key scenes and character dynamics, this study reveals how the film Toba Dreams uses its narrative to foster a deeper understanding of the role of nationalism in shaping individual identity. The findings of this study reveal that beyond entertainment, the film also offers a platform to reflect on the significance of nationalism in modern Indonesian society. The film emphasizes the power of cultural heritage, unity, and loyalty to the country while addressing the challenges of maintaining national values in a globalized world. Through its engaging storytelling, the film offers not only a visual journey, but also a thought-provoking exploration of what it means to be part of a nation. This study is expected to contribute to the ongoing discourse on nationalism through cinema.

This study explores the optimization of English pronunciation skill through the use of HelloTalk, an AI-powered learning app. The research employed a quasi-experimental design, involving 17 English Department students of Universitas Serambi Mekkah as the research sample. Data were collected through pretest and posttest, assessing the aspect of pronunciation accuracy. After the pretest, a four-week intervention was given to the students through the use of HelloTalk to see if their English pronunciation competence could improve. The data was analyzed statistically using SPSS 16.0, and the statistical analysis showed a significant improvement in their pronunciation skill before and after the intervention, indicated by the mean scores of the pre-test and post-test (49.71 and 79.12, respectively). The findings also showed a strong correlation between the use of HelloTalk and students’ pronunciation skills, particularly after the use of HelloTalk features, such as Partner Matching, Text Chat, Voice Messages, Voice and Video Calls, Moments Feed, and Community Interaction that enable students to engage in direct verbal communication and exchange messages with native speakers of English. Pronunciation Help with voice recognition and Correction Feature also AI-driven features that also contribute to the considerable improvement. This research is expected to contribute to the existing body of literature by providing insight that HelloTalk can be an effective learning tool to increase articulation accuracy in English. Future research could explore the effect of HelloTalk on other pronunciation aspects, such as intonation, stress, rhythm, and pitch.

Literary texts play a crucial role in language classrooms by offering engaging narratives and diverse cultural perspectives that enhance language learning and deepen understanding of cultural and historical contexts. This study investigated the impact of literary texts on cultural awareness and historical experience among 76 undergraduate EFL students selected through availability sampling. Data were collected via questionnaires and interviews with both students and instructors to assess cultural awareness, historical understanding, and challenges faced with literary texts. Quantitative data were analyzed statistically, while qualitative data from interviews were thematically analyzed. The findings revealed that students recognized the positive influence of literary texts on their cultural and historical appreciation. However, a significant gap exists between theoretical understanding and practical application, attributed to challenges such as linguistic complexities, unfamiliar cultural references, and insufficient instructional support. To address these issues, the study recommends integrating interactive discussions and activities that connect literary themes to real-world contexts, enhancing language comprehension support, and fostering a collaborative classroom environment that encourages critical thinking. Additionally, incorporating multimedia resources and diverse literary genres can boost engagement and broaden students’ perspectives on the cultural and historical themes presented in texts. These strategies aim to deepen students’ understanding of literature and improve their ability to apply theoretical concepts effectively in language education.

This study explores the substantial role of digital learning media in ensuring continuous learning regardless of location or circumstances. With many digital platforms available for teaching and learning, this paper investigates the benefits and characteristics associated with the utilization of digital learning media. Employing self-regulated learning approaches, the study aims to enhance students’ English as a Foreign Language (EFL) competencies. Conducting a systematic literature review covering the period from 2018 to 2023, the research follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Examining 25 articles from reputable databases (i.e., Scopus, Science Direct), the study identifies a positive correlation between the use of digital learning media, including Learning Management Systems (LMS) and Android-based smartphone applications, and improved student achievements. The findings emphasize the significance of digital tools that meet specific qualifications: being beneficial, organizing indicators effectively, and featuring robust and interactive visualizations. This research offers valuable insights for educators, policymakers, and researchers to enhance technology-based learning experiences in EFL education.

Teacher’s knowledge has an important role in successing the teaching and learning process in the classroom. In getting knowledge, teacher can use an online platform as Merdeka Mengajar platform. It is a can be used as a source in getting knowledge in teaching speaking. This study aims to examine English teachers’ challenges in applying knowledge (in teaching speaking) obtained through the use of the Merdeka Mengajar platform. The research employed a qualitative method with a case study as a design. The participant was one English teacher at a public junior high school in Bombana Regency. The instrument used semi-structured interviews to collect data. The findings found three kinds of teacher challenges namely: (1) linguistic factors including students’ lack of English vocabulary, difficulties in memorizing vocabulary and material, incorrect pronunciation of vocabulary, (2) physiological factors contain students’ lack of confidence and motivation in speaking English), and (3) external factors such as the lack of learning support facilities in teaching speaking especially projectors and limited time in applying student-centered method. So, this research concluded that the teacher was still facing the challenges in applying knowledge obtained through MPP when teaching speaking in the clasroom This research has several positive impacts namely; introduction to the Merdeka Mengajar Platform, identify teacher challenges, and further understanding of the challenges of teaching speaking.

This research began in the challenging of writing Hortatory Exposition Text, faced by students, especially second language learners in academic settings. Despite writing's crucial role in analysis and communication, limited structured practice leads to incoherent expression. Qualitative descriptive was applied to analyze the use of cohesive devices proposed by Halliday and Hasan’s (1976) theory. The object of this research were fifteen students of SMA Kesatrian 2 Semarang. The students’ texts were analyzed by using Halliday and Hasan’s (1976) theory. The findings show 336 grammatical and 138 lexical cohesions in the reading passages. The grammatical consisted of 170 (35.9%) references, 3 (0.6%) substitutions, 28 (5.9%) ellipses, and 135 (28.5%) conjunctions and the lexical cohesion consisted of 82 reiterations (17.3%) and 56 (11.8%) collocations. Hopefully, this research offers insights, particularly to English teachers, enhancing their ESL teaching approaches and addressing students' challenges more effectively.