OKARA: Jurnal Bahasa dan Sastra

Fostering Learner Autonomy in Vietnamese Higher Education: What Factors to Be Considered?

Dung Thi Phuong Cao — 2024-11-30

Learner autonomy is widely recognized as a significant goal for tertiary education in enabling learners to become lifelong learners. To achieve this goal, it is crucial to identify what factors support or impede learner autonomy. This study, therefore, aims to explore influencing factors by collecting data from 420 English majors at a university in the south of Vietnam, using questionnaire surveys and focus group interviews. Its results show that motivation and teachers’ teaching styles and requirements are the two most influential factors, representing internal and external elements, respectively. Internal factors are found to be more influential than external ones, with eight out of nine identified as very influential (i.e., motivation, learning attitudes, knowledge of the subjects, language proficiency, learning styles, learning goals, preferences for self-study, learning methods/techniques). Family expectation emerged as a new external element contributing to learner autonomy. Discussion about the influence level and suggestions for facilitating learner autonomy are presented.

The Islamic Worldview and Language Proclivity: The Case of Modern Brunei

Salbrina Sharbawi — 2024-11-30

Brunei is undergoing a language transition, with younger generations favoring English over Malay, raising concerns about the potential impact on the Islamic worldview traditionally tied to Malay. This study examines the relationship between language preference and the Islamic worldview among 67 young female Bruneian Muslims, using an online survey to assess their language use, religious identity, and perspectives on Islamic and Western ideologies. Findings reveal strong alignment with Islamic beliefs on divine matters but ambivalence on contemporary social issues like gender and dating, particularly among English-preferring participants. While a weak association between English proclivity and a Western worldview was observed, it was not statistically significant. This study highlights the complexities of language and religious identity in a globalized context, emphasizing the need for further research and adaptive strategies in Islamic education to address linguistic and ideological shifts.

The Ordering Distribution and Competing Motivation of Evidential and Logical Causal Clauses in English and Chinese

Wanying Fu — 2024-11-28

The ordering distribution of causal adverbial clauses in English and Chinese differs due to distinct factors, with English clauses tending to appear finally and Chinese clauses initially. This study aims to analyze the ordering distribution of logical and evidential causal clauses in English and Chinese using Diessel's competing motivation model, investigating the interplay of semantic forces, syntactic processing, and discourse pragmatics. A corpus-based analysis was conducted on 800 sentences from the British National Corpus and the Lancaster Corpus of Mandarin Chinese, focusing on four causal subordinators in each language. The results reveal a clear cross-linguistic distinction: In Chinese, evidential causal clauses occur initially at 82.5%, driven by iconicity and discourse coherence, while logical causal clauses show a lower initial occurrence rate of 67.3%. Conversely, English causal clauses tend to occur in final positions, with evidential clauses at 91.66% and logical clauses at 84.2%, due to the relative semantic independence, functioning as independent processing units. The ordering distribution reflects competing motivations: Chinese prioritizes iconicity and discourse coherence, while English emphasizes syntactic independence and processing ease. The study provides new insights into the interaction of semantic, syntactic, and pragmatic forces in shaping clause positioning across languages.

Students’ Gains in English as a Second or Foreign Language through Game-Based Learning: A Meta-Analysis

Jason S. Barrun — 2025-01-22

Various digitally aided applications have prompted ESL/EFL teachers to adopt them in their classrooms for games and experiments; hence, the concept of play in pedagogical settings has grown and become more modern, modifying the structures of Game-based Learning (GBL). This study, therefore, aims to analyze the effectiveness of GBL through meta-analysis. Following the set of inclusion and exclusion criteria, 16 studies in East Asia, Middle East Asia, and South America conducted from 2018 to 2023 have qualified for this study with 14 studies on tertiary level (n=822); 1 on secondary (n=56); and 1 on primary (n=46). Studies were obtained from Google Scholar, OpenAlex, Scopus, and Crossref. Further, the researchers used Harzing’s Publish or Perish software to exhaust the search process. Sample size, mean, and standard deviation were analyzed using the Jamovi software version 2.4 to determine the effect sizes (Hedge's g) and the results of moderator analysis, forest plot, funnel plot, and Classic Fail-Safe N test. Findings have shown that GBL, as an approach to teaching English, had a significant and positive effect (ES=1.19) on students' achievement in different language domains. Educational levels and the type of game-based learning employed as moderators were also proven to be factors that may affect learning outcomes. Hence, more studies testing the subgroups mentioned above should be conducted to facilitate more comprehensive comparative educational research in the future.

Dismembering the Issues of Capitalism, Human Rights, and Mental Health of Irish People in the Novel Normal People by Sally Rooney

Ferdinal Ferdinal — 2025-03-20

The capitalist ideology has been critiqued in various disciplines, including literature, especially when executed by tyrant governments or influential individuals. This article examines how modern discourse, such as the novel Normal People by Sally Rooney, represents issues of capitalism in Ireland, which impact the rights of its people and their access to mental health. The study is a qualitative scrutiny of the novel, applying the Marxist Theory of Ideology by Louis Althusser to investigate such representations. The primary data from the novel and the secondary information from other sources are interpreted to investigate three main questions: How do Normal People portray capitalism in Ireland, how does this ideology impact the individual rights of its people, and how does it affect access to mental health problems? The study results indicate that the novel portrays the pervasiveness of capitalist ideology in the hearts of Irish people, affecting their rights to live and the freedom of expression, and the practice of capitalism has a substantial impact on Irish youngsters' mental health. Due to the limitations of the methods and data comprehensiveness, further studies on Normal People may consider alternative literary lenses, such as pragmatic and other analytical approaches, looking at sociocultural institutions and systems.

Harmonizing Humanity: The Enduring Legacy of Performing Arts in Character Education Through Literary Anthropology

Intama J. Polii — 2024-11-30

Indonesia has a rich cultural diversity, but some traditions, such as the Dames performing arts of the Javanese Tondano community in Minahasa, are fading due to external cultural influences; therefore, preservation efforts are crucial to maintain this valuable cultural heritage and its role in fostering social harmony and character values. This research aims to determine the local wisdom values of the Dames performing arts in the Javanese Tondano community in Minahasa. The mixed marriage between the Tondano Javanese people and the native Minahasa people combines two different cultural tribes so that through performing arts, Dames can unite these two cultural tribes. Preservation in this research means creating and maintaining intangible cultural heritage from ancestors so that the community members can remember their cultural identity. We determine the artistic elements in academic studies through literary anthropology as a distinguishing tool in this research. The research methodology used is descriptive qualitative with data collection techniques through observation, interviews, and documentation. The results obtained in this research are regional wisdom values in four performing arts song lyrics Dames, namely: 1) values related to God, humility, and unity in the lyrics of the song Now It's Even, 2) values related to courtesy, honesty, and cooperation in the lyrics of the song Salam We Are Together, 3) values regional wisdom related to tolerance, harmony and love of peace in the lyrics of the song Thank You, and 3) regional wisdom values related to caring and strengthening in the lyrics of the song Asaranu My goal. Through these local wisdom values, the implications of the value of character education for students at school are also obtained.

The Components of Arguments on the Friday Sermon in the City of Makassar

Dedi Gunawan Saputra — 2024-11-30

Global issues related to Friday sermons include the potential spread of radical ideology, extremism, and discriminatory messages, which can contribute to social inequality and conflict. Additionally, the lack of education and awareness in sermons may affect the understanding of religious teachings and global issues, leading to knowledge gaps and social divisions. Despite these concerns, few studies have specifically analyzed the components of arguments used in Friday sermons in the City. This study aims to describe the components of arguments in Friday sermons in Makassar City. The method used in this research uses qualitative research methods in the form of discourse analysis methods carried out in 5 districts, namely Bontoala, Mamajang, Panakkukang, Rappocini, and Tamalate in Makassar City. A purposive sampling technique was used to obtain a sample of 15 respondents. The data collection technique was done by recording the sermon directly. The results showed six components used to construct arguments in Friday sermons in Makassar, including claim, data, warrant, backing, modal qualifier, and rebuttal. The study's results are expected to improve the ability of the preachers in charge of Friday prayers to utilize various argument components in each sermon delivered. In addition, using components with creative techniques is important to attract the attention of the Friday congregation.

Istikhdām al-Majāz al-Mursāl fi al-Balāghah al-‘Arābiyyah: Dirāsah fī Quwwat al-Ma’nā wa al-I’jāz al-Fannī fī al-Qur’ān [The Use of Metonymy in Arabic Rhetoric: A Study of the Strength of Meaning and the Artistic Miracle in the Qur’an]

Hüseyin Elmhemıt — 2024-11-30

The uses of metonymy in Arabic rhetoric are very numerous. One of the purposes of using them is strength in meaning. Our saying: So-and-so is generous is less powerful in meaning than our saying: So-and-so has many ashes. Metaphors have been used a lot in the Holy Qur’an, and the use of body parts in metonymy was for many purposes in the Qur’an. These metaphors were chosen in a way that gives wonderful artistic implications consistent with the context in which the verses appear. In the research, metonymy was known, and some of its sections were discussed. Then, the research was divided according to the members. In which metonymies were used, and the use of those metonymies indicated a precise miracle, it is not possible for the truth or even any other metaphor to fulfill the intended meaning contained in the context of the verses. This research is an attempt to complete the efforts of the predecessors in showing the evidence of the endless Qur’anic miracle and its endless secrets.

Mawād Qirāʼiyyah Mubtakarah Qāʼimah ʿAlá Mahārat al-Tafkīr al-ʿUlyā Wafq Taṣnīf Bārit [Innovative Reading Materials Based on Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) Aligned with Barrett’s Taxonomy]

Siti Maisaroh — 2024-11-30

In many Islamic universities, Arabic language instruction remains focused on memorization and low-level comprehension, limiting students’ ability to engage with texts critically. The lack of contextualized materials and limited use of interactive strategies have further contributed to low student motivation and superficial understanding. Addressing these challenges, this study aims to design and implement an instructional unit based on Higher-Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) for teaching Arabic reading comprehension to third-year students at an Islamic University in Madura. The study adopts a research and development (R&D) methodology using the ADDIE model, which consists of five phases: Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation. Data were collected through interviews, classroom observations, document analysis, and pre- and post-tests to assess the impact of the instructional unit. Findings revealed significant improvements in students’ analytical and interpretive reading abilities and increased classroom participation. Expert evaluations confirmed the material’s validity, with an overall score of 89%. Integrating local cultural context and interactive technologies enhanced students’ motivation and engagement. The study highlights the importance of embedding HOTS into Arabic instruction to foster critical literacy and recommends applying this model to other language skills in both local and global learning environments.