Infusing intercultural awareness in English materials development for 4th grade at Islamic elementary school :

Ivana Nabilah Qoriroh Mujahidah; Fajar Tri  Mahardika; Iman Yutisanto; Roykhanah; Ahmad Riyan; Fardini  Sabilah

doi:10.21070/jees.v8i2.1701

(1) Ivana Nabilah Qoriroh Mujahidah Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang
Indonesia
(2) Fajar Tri Mahardika Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang
Indonesia
(3) Iman Yutisanto Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang
Indonesia
(4) Roykhanah Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang
Indonesia
(5) Ahmad Riyan Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang
Indonesia
(6) * Fardini Sabilah Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang
Indonesia
(*) Corresponding Author

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21070/jees.v8i2.1701

Abstract

Embedding intercultural awareness in teaching English is an essential aspect that must be considered. This paper aims to develop the English materials for 4th grade at Islamic Elementary School. The researchers employed mixed-method research to do a need analysis and design the English materials. Choosing and Analyzing the English material from the 4th grade's book was the first step in collecting the data. Then, the researchers spread the questionnaires to the 13 teachers and 71 students as the research participants that have selected purposively. The data was analyzed using explanatory sequential mixed methods, in which the qualitative data was used to explain the quantitative data results. This paper revealed that teachers and students agreed that infusing intercultural awareness is essential to learning English. They also proposed the appropriate materials to be developed with the researchers, such as adding typical food and traditional festival in the introduction materials. After designing and developing the materials, the researchers finally produced online materials in the form of video. The researchers tried to implement the video to get constructive feedback. The students' and teachers' perspectives are almost the same.

HIGHLIGHTS :

Infusing intercultural awareness is essential in ELT since it gained someadvantages of increasing knowledge about cultural diversity by using English.
The most appropriate teaching materials, methods, and activities in ELT for 4th grade are determined by the students’ needs and teachers’ perspectives.
Designing and developing English materials could enhance the quality of the teaching and learning process, whether inside or inside the classroom. Even though, there are still some challenges such as the students limitation on having English vocabularies and teachers with limited knowledge in teaching strategies.

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Author Biographies

Ivana Nabilah Qoriroh Mujahidah, Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang

Ivana Nabilah Qoriroh Mujahidah. She received her master degree in English Language Education in 2013. Currently, she is teaching English at one of an Islamic elementary school in Malang, East Java. She is interested in learning model and strategies in teaching English to young learners.

Fajar Tri Mahardika, Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang

Fajar Tri Mahardika. He was born on August 18, 1997, in Samarinda. In 2023, he completed his Masters in English education at the University of Muhammadiyah Malang. He began his career by teaching English as an extracurricular activity at Samarinda Vocational High School. Presently, he serves as an education consultant in a private company.

Iman Yutisanto, Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang

Iman Yutisanto. He was born on August 18, 1980, in Surabaya, went on to pursue a master's degree in English Education at Muhammadiyah University in Malang. In addition to his academic pursuits, he has taught at institutions such as SMA 1 Pulau 3 Natuna, SMPN 1 Bunguran Timur, and SMPN 1 Atap Desa Pengadah. Alongside his teaching endeavors, he owned an IT firm, CV. Natuna Telematika.

Roykhanah, Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang

Roykhanah. She is a master of English language education student in postgraduate program at Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang. She received her bachelor’s degree in English language education at Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang in 2016. She started her career in teaching English at both in formal and non-formal organizations. Currently, she becomes an English instructor at one of private university in Malang, East Java. She is
interested in material and learning media development

Ahmad Riyan, Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang

Ahmad Riyan. He was born on February 13, 1998, in Baubau. He received a bachelor's degree in education from Dayanu Ikhsanuddin University in 2021. He is currently pursuing a Master's degree at the University of Muhammadiyah Malang to enhance his expertise in the field of education, especially English language education.

Fardini Sabilah, Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang

Dr. Fardini Sabilah, M.Pd. She received her doctoral degree from Linguistics Studies at Udayana University, Denpasar Bali in 2018. Currently, she is a permanent lecturer at English Language Education Department (ELED) and at the Postgraduate Program of Master of English Education Program (S2) at the University of Muhammadiyah Malang. Since 2019 until now she has been served as The Head of Scientific Publication
Development Board (LPPI) UMM and currently she is also as the Editor in Chief of Community Service and Empowerment Journal (JCSE) UMM.

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