Analysis of Immersion-Based English Learning on Improving the Language Skills of Students at the Darussalam Gontor Modern Islamic Institution

Authors

  • Dwiana Novitasari UIN Sayyid Ali Rahmatullah Tulungagung, Jawa Timur, Indonesia.
  • Nurul Chojimah UIN Sayyid Ali Rahmatullah Tulungagung, Jawa Timur, Indonesia.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25217/jed.v6i1.7133

Keywords:

Language Immersion, English Language Learning, Speaking Anxiety, Competence, Communicative

Abstract

This study analyzes the implementation of immersion-based English learning at the Darussalam Gontor Modern Islamic Institution and its role in improving students' language skills, particularly speaking proficiency. The research employed a qualitative case study approach. Data analysis was conducted using the Miles and Huberman model, including data collection, data reduction, data presentation, and the drawing and verification of conclusions. The findings indicate that immersion-based learning at Darussalam Gontor Modern Islamic Institution is systematically integrated into both formal and informal educational activities through a strong bi'ah lughawiyah (language environment), high disciplinary standards, and the consistent application of the direct method. Programs such as English Week, daily vocabulary reinforcement, conversation practice, public speaking, and language-based extracurricular activities provide continuous, context-rich exposure to the English language. This immersive environment encourages active language use, reduces students' speaking anxiety, and fosters self-confidence. Although challenges such as grammatical inaccuracy and avoidance strategies were observed, these issues function as transitional stages in the development of communicative competence. Overall, immersion-based English learning at Darussalam Gontor Modern Islamic Institution effectively enhances students' language skills and positions the institution as a distinctive and successful model of English language education in Indonesia.

References

Abrora, Ahmad Auladul, M Avdich Haikalb, and Heldy Hasfid Hariri. 2024. “Metode Pengajaran Bahasa Inggris Di Pesantren: Efektivitas Antara Pendekatan Tradisional Dan Modern.” In Konferensi Nasional Tarbiyah UNIDA Gontor, , 1553–1550.

Akhter, Shamim. 2021. “Exploring the Significance of Speaking Skill for EFL Learners.” Sir Syed Journal of Education & Social Research (SJESR) 4(3): 1–9.

Altun, Mustafa. 2023. “The Impact of Speaking Anxiety on the Development of Communication Skills.” International Journal of Social Sciences & Educational Studies 10(2): 104–8. doi:10.23918/ijsses.v10i2p104.

Amalia, Jessica Noer, M. Sholahudin Mukhlis, Reynizqy Mughniza Makmur, and Shofil Fikri. 2024. “Arabic Language Learning Program Management at Darussalam Gontor Modern Islamic Boarding School.” Abjadia: International Journal of Education 09(02): 345–54. doi:10.18860/abj.v9i2.27818.

Baker, Colin. 2001. Foundations of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism. 5th ed. United Kingdom: Multilingual Matters.

Budi, Abdul Mufid Setia, and Apud. 2019. “Peran Kurikulum Kulliyatul Mu’allimin Al-Islamiyah (KMI) Gontor 9 Dan Disiplin Pondok Dalam Menumbuhkembangkan Karakter Santri.” Tarbawi: Jurnal Keilmuan Manajemen Pendidikan 5(1): 1–10.

Creswell, John W. 1994. Research Design; Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. London, New Delhi: Sage Publications.

Creswell, John W., and John David Creswell. 2018. Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. 5th ed. London, New Delhi: Sage Publications Ltd. doi:10.2307/j.ctt2204s7w.11.

Cummins, Jim. 2001. “Language, Power and Pedagogy: Bilingual Children in the Crossfire.” The Catesol Journal 13(1): 201–22.

Ding, Miaomiao. 2024. “The Impact of High-Immersion Virtual Reality on EFL Learners’ Foreign Language Speaking Anxiety: A Mixed-Method Approach.” ReCALL 36(3): 287–305. doi:10.1017/S0958344024000156.

Dörnyei, Zoltán. 2009. The Psychology of Second Language Acquisition. Oxford: Oxford University Press. doi:10.61508/refl.v13i0.114240.

Goldman, Sharon. 2018. Disertasi “Dual Language Two-Way Immersion Programs: Exploring Instructional Practices That Promote Literacy Proficiency for Spanish-Speaking English Language Learners.” Chapel Hill.

Horwitz, Elaine K., and Dolly J. Young. 1991. Language Anxiety: From Theory and Research to Classroom Implications. England: Prentice Hall, Inc.

Horwitz, Elaine K, Michael B Horwitz, and Joann Cope. 1986. “Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety.” The Modern Language Journal 70(2): 125–32. doi:10.2307/327317.

Ihsan, Nur Hadi, and Muhammad Akrimul Hakim. 2004. Profil Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor. Ponorogo: Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor.

Ikmah, Amit Dana, Titin Erviana Ayu Neni, Dwiana Novitasari, M. Ulul Azmi, and Muhammad Thoriqul Islam. 2025. “Implementation Of The Index Card Match Strategy In Improving Learning Outcomes In Islamic Religious Education.” AL-ADABIYAH: Jurnal Pendidikan Agama Islam 6(1): 96–106.

Islam, Muhammad Thoriqul, Nawa Marjany, and Khoula Azwary. 2023. “Analysis of The 2013 Curriculum Post COVID-19 Pandemic at MI Nurussalam , Ngawi.” Insyirah: Jurnal Ilmu Bahasa Arab dan Studi Islam 6(2): 243–55.

Islam, Muhammad Thoriqul, Imam Qodari, and Nawa Marjany. 2024. “Islamic Boarding School Education and Its Renewal According to K.H. Abdullah Syukri Zarkasyi.” Paedagogia: Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan 27(1): 103–12.

Karimah, Fatimatil Imroatil, Arum Kusmila Surya Putri, and Ainur Ridho. 2024. “The Arabic Language Learning Curriculum in Modern Islamic Boarding Schools in Gontor Indonesia.” Jalsat: Journal of Arabic Language Studies and Teaching 4(2): 72–85.

Kasbi, Saba, and Majid Elahi Shirvan. 2017. “Ecological Understanding of Foreign Language Speaking Anxiety: Emerging Patterns and Dynamic Systems.” Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education 2(2): 1–20. doi:10.1186/s40862-017-0026-y.

Krashen, Stephen D. 1982. Principles and Practice in Second Language Acquisition. 1st ed. California: Pergamon Press Inc.

MacIntyre, Peter D, and R C Gardner. 1991. “Language Anxiety: Its Relationship to Other Anxieties and to Processing in Native and Second Languages.” Language Learning 41(4): 513–34. doi:10.1111/j.1467-1770.1991.tb00691.x.

Macintyre, Peter, and Robert Gardner. 2006. “Methods and Results in the Study of Foreign Language Anxiety: A Review of the Literature.” Language Learning 41: 85–117. doi:10.1111/j.1467-1770.1991.tb00677.x.

McCroskey, James C. 1970. “Measures of Communication‐bound Anxiety.” Speech Monographs 37(4): 269–77. doi:10.1080/03637757009375677.

Mccroskey, James C. 1977. “Oral Communication Apprehension: A Summary Of Recent Theory And Research.” Human Communication Research 4(1): 78–96.

Miles, Matthew B., and A. Michael Huberman. 1992. Analisis Data Kualitatif: Buku Sumber Tentang Metode-Metode Baru. Jakarta: Universitas Indonesia Press.

Miles, Matthew B., A. Michael Huberman, and Johnny Saldana. 2014. 17 Qualitative Data Analysis: A Methods Sourcebook. 3rd ed. New Delhi: Sage Publications.

Monib, Wali Khan, and Hadi ur Rahman Hadi. 2025. “Determinant Factors Influencing English Speaking Skill among Undergraduates: Challenges and Remedial Strategies.” Acuity: Journal of English Language Pedagogy, Literature, and Culture 10(1): 72–85. doi:10.35974/acuity.v10i1.3351.

Muhajir, and Abdul Mufid Setia Budi. 2018. “Kurikulum Kulliyatul Mu’allimin Al-Islamiyah (Kmi) Gontor Dan Disiplin Pondok Penumbuhkembang Karakter Santri.” Qathruna: Jurnal Keilmuan dan Pendidikan Islam 5(1): 1–24.

Mulyana, Deddy. 2003. Metodologi Penelitian Kualitatif (Paradigma Baru Ilmu Komunikasi Dan Ilmu Sosial Lainnya). Bandung: Remaja Rosdakarya.

Mundir. 2013. A psicanalise dos contos de fadas. Tradução Arlene Caetano Metode Penelitian Kualitatif Dan Kuantitatif. 1st ed. Jember: STAIN Jember Press. doi:10.1145/2505515.2507827.

Musfiqon, Muhammad. 2012. Metodologi Penelitian Pendidikan. Jakarta: Prestasi Pustakaraya.

Nasution, S. 2003. Metode Penelitian Naturalistik Kualitatif. Bandung: Tarsito.

Nguyen, Ngoc Duyen. 2023. Disertasi “Exploring Foreign Language Speaking Anxiety among Vietnamese University Students in the UK.” Sheffield Hallam University Sheffield. www.shu.ac.uk/tesol.

Qomar, Mujamil. 2022. Metodologi Penelitian Kualitatif: Membekali Kemampuan Membangun Teori Baru. Malang: Inteligensia Media.

Rais, Masir Fachruddin. 2021. Tesis “Analisys Teaching Method at English Week Program in Modern Islamic Boarding School Darussalam Gontor.” University of Muhammadiyah Malang.

Shange, Thembeka. 2021. “The Possible Role of the English Word Power (EWP) Program in Motivating ICT Foundation Students to Learn English at a University of Technology in South Africa.” International Journal of Applied Linguistics and English Literature 10(5): 28–39. doi:10.7575/aiac.ijalel.v.10n.5p.28.

Sugiyono. 2007. Metode Penelitian Kuantitatif, Kualitatif, Dan R&D. Bandung: Alfabeta.

Sugiyono. 2020. Metode Penelitian Kuantitatif, Kualitatif, R&D. Bandung: Alfabeta.

Sukmadinata, Nana Syaodih. 2009. Metode Penelitian Pendidikan. Bandung: PT Remaja Rosdakarya.

Swain, Merrill, and Sharon Lapkin. 1998. “Interaction Learning: Immersion and Second Language: Two Adolescent French Immersion Students Working Together.” The Modern Language Journal 82(3): 320–37.

Syamsu, Pradi Khusufi. 2018. “Arabic Language Learning at Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor.” EL-IBTIKAR: Jurnal Pendidikan Bahasa Arab 7(2): 18–40.

Thaimah, Ahmad Rusydi. 1989. Ta’lim Al-‘Arabiyyah Lighair an-Nathiqin Biha. Mesir: Jami’ah al Manshurah.

Thomas, Wayne P., and Virginia P. Collier. 2002. Center for Research on Education, Diversity & Excellence A National Study of School Effectiveness for Language Minority Studetns’ Long-Term Academic Achievement.

Ulufah, Aynun Nurul, Asrop Safi’i, Sokip, and Muhammad Thoriqul Islam. 2024. “Perguruan Tinggi Berbasis Pesantren (Studi Kasus Di Universitas Darussalam Gontor).” Tarbawi Ngabar: Jurnal of Education 5(2): 222–44. doi:10.55380/tarbawi.v5i2.844.

Wahab, Laode Abdul. 2014. “Perilaku Berbahasa Santri Pondok Modern Gontor Pudahoa.” al-Izzah 9(1): 1–42.

Wekke, Ismail Suardi, and Andriansyah. 2016. “From Gontor to Sorong: Muslim Minority Practices on Arabic Teaching and Learning.” Sosio Humanika: Jurnal Pendidikan Sains Sosial dan Kemanusiaan 9(1): 49–64.

Widi, Restu Kartiko. 2018. Menggelorakan Penelitian; Pengenalan Dan Penuntun Pelaksanaan Penelitian. 1st ed. Yogyakarta: DEEPUBLISH (Grup Penerbitan CV Budi Utama).

Yin, Robert K. 2018. 53 Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research Case Study Research and Applications: Design and Methods. London: Sage Publications. doi:10.1177/109634809702100108.

Young, Richard. 1988. “Input and Interaction.” Annual Review of Applied Linguistics 9(1): 122–34. doi:10.1017/s0267190500000842.

Zaid, Abdul Hafidz. 2012. “Pendekatan Komunikatif Dalam Pengajaran Bahasa Arab.” At-Ta’dib: Journal of Pesantren Education 7(2): 309–20.

Zarkasyi, Abdullah Syukri. 2005. Manajemen Pesantren: Pengalaman Pondok Modern Gontor. Ponorogo: Trimurti Press.

Downloads

Published

2026-01-13

How to Cite

Novitasari, D., & Nurul Chojimah. (2026). Analysis of Immersion-Based English Learning on Improving the Language Skills of Students at the Darussalam Gontor Modern Islamic Institution. Journal of English Development, 6(1), 17–33. https://doi.org/10.25217/jed.v6i1.7133