Studies in Language, Education, and Culture (SeLEC)

Mysticism in the Kyai Brojomusti Folklore and Its Pedagogical Relevance: A Literary-Ecological Analysis

Pramesti Icha Rahmawati — 2025-11-30

This study investigates the mystical elements contained in the folklore of the Kyai Brojomusti forbidden forest and examines their relevance for Indonesian language learning in secondary education. Previous studies have not sufficiently addressed the contribution of local folklore to classroom instruction and to the development of students' cultural awareness. This research employs a qualitative descriptive design with data collected through observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation. The data are analyzed using a literary ecology framework. The findings identify three central concepts of mysticism in the Kyai Brojomusti narrative: positive motives, material existence, and levels of sarengat. The study also identifies six manifestations of mysticism, namely religious rituals, slametan or bancaan practices, healing practices, sacred trees, sacred tombs, and white tigers. These findings demonstrate that local folklore can function as a culturally grounded learning resource that supports value-based instruction and contributes to the development of the Pancasila student profile.

EFL Learners' Memory Strategies in Vocabulary Learning: A Psycholinguistic Perspective

Aisyah Nurfitriyani — 2025-11-30

Vocabulary plays an essential role in supporting comprehension of academic texts and the development of critical thinking among EFL learners. However, many learners continue to struggle with limited vocabulary mastery. This study aimed to examine the memory strategies used by EFL learners in vocabulary acquisition from a psycholinguistic perspective. The research involved 36 sixth-semester students of the English Education Study Program at UIN Raden Mas Said Surakarta. A mixed-method design was implemented, using interviews to explore learners’ memory strategies and questionnaires to identify their tendencies in vocabulary memorization. The findings indicate that learners employ varied memory strategies that influence the effectiveness of vocabulary retention. These results highlight the need for instructional practices that integrate memory-based approaches in vocabulary teaching. The study contributes to psycholinguistic research by providing empirical evidence on how memory strategies shape vocabulary learning among EFL learners.

Stimulating Motivational Engagement in Vocabulary Learning: Evidence From the Word Tail Game in an EFL Classroom

Harsinda — 2025-11-30

Vocabulary learning is an essential component of English language development, yet many students continue to face difficulties in achieving progress and maintaining motivation. This study aimed to examine the effect of the Word Tail Game on students’ vocabulary achievement and learning motivation. A mixed method approach with a convergent parallel design was employed. Quantitative data were used to measure students’ achievement, and qualitative interview data were used to explore their motivation. The participants consisted of 20 second-grade junior high school students. The findings show a significant increase in post-test scores, indicating an improvement in vocabulary achievement. Qualitative results also reveal that indicators of motivated learning behavior appeared consistently during the game, supported by students’ positive responses. These findings suggest that the Word Tail Game can enhance engagement and support vocabulary learning. The study contributes empirical evidence to the growing body of research on game-based learning in EFL contexts.

Intersection of Literature, Culture and Education in Multidisciplinary Contexts

Jeffery Chisunum — 2025-11-30

Amid growing demands for graduates who can navigate the complexities of the twenty-first century, this study explores how integrating literature, culture, and education can reshape undergraduate learning. Drawing on constructivist learning theory, culturally responsive pedagogy, and interdisciplinary frameworks, the research responds to long-standing disciplinary divides that often hinder holistic development. Using a convergent parallel mixed-methods design, the study engaged 384 undergraduates at the University of Delta, Agbor, Nigeria, from January to June 2025. Three guiding aims structured the inquiry: understanding students’ initial interdisciplinary competencies, evaluating the influence of integrated pedagogical interventions, and exploring how culturally responsive teaching enhances learning. The results were compelling. Students exposed to the integrated approach demonstrated notable gains, including marked improvements in interdisciplinary thinking, academic performance, and cultural awareness. Statistical analyses confirmed the strength of these effects, with integrated methods accounting for over half of the variance in academic performance and culturally responsive pedagogy outperforming traditional teaching. Overall, these findings illustrate how deliberately weaving literature, culture, and education can create learning environments that are not only academically rigorous but also culturally meaningful. The study offers practical and theoretical insights for institutions seeking to prepare culturally aware, interdisciplinary thinkers equipped for a rapidly evolving world.

Local Wisdom and Javanese Politeness in Service Encounters around Central Java Universities

Budi Purnomo — 2025-11-30

This study explores how Javanese politeness values, or unggah-ungguh, shape communication between waiters and guests in student cafés around leading universities in Semarang, Salatiga, and Surakarta, Central Java. Despite the increasing recognition of intercultural communication in hospitality studies, little attention has been paid to the role of local politeness systems in shaping service interactions. The study aimed to identify how Javanese politeness values are expressed and negotiated in daily hospitality encounters and how these practices influence customer satisfaction. Participants consisted of twenty-four café waiters and six managers, recruited through purposive sampling based on their fluency in Javanese and direct involvement in customer service. Data were collected through participatory observations, semi-structured interviews, and informal group discussions, and analyzed using a thematic qualitative approach. The analysis focused on six key values of Javanese etiquette: sumanak (friendliness), sabar lan sareh (patience and calmness), tepa slira (empathy), andhap asor (humility), empan papan (situational appropriateness), and nuju prana (pleasing others). The findings reveal that consistent application of these values fosters harmonious interaction, strengthens relational bonds, and creates a culturally distinctive atmosphere in the cafés. The study concludes that Javanese politeness functions as a communicative strategy that integrates professionalism with local wisdom, offering insights for culturally grounded hospitality training and intercultural communication research.