“English Is Horrible”: A Phenomenology Study at Conservative Islamic Boarding School in Indonesia

Abstract

This qualitative phenomenological study aims to explore the perceptions and attitudes of students and teachers toward English language learning within a conservative Islamic boarding school (pesantren) in Indonesia, focusing on the challenges of integrating English studies with traditional religious curricula. Utilizing in-depth interviews and observations, the research employed a purposive sample of 15 participants, including a principal of the Pesantren, four instructors with a variety of academic backgrounds, and ten pupils, to obtain various viewpoints. Thematic analysis was employed to identify key themes and patterns from the transcribed interview data, revealing that many participants perceive English as irrelevant to their lives, leading to a lack of motivation and engagement in language learning. The research identified two primary themes: the challenges associated with integrating English with the religious curriculum and the perceptions and attitudes of individuals towards the acquisition of the English language. Participants generally perceived English as irrelevant to their lives, resulting in a lack of motivation. They also perceived it as a cultural threat to Islamic values. The results underscore the necessity of effective teaching strategies and institutional support to cultivate a supportive educational environment for language acquisition