Listening to students voice: A survey of implementation of English as medium of instruction in an international standard school in Indonesia

Abstract

This quantitative and qualitative study examine the implementation of English as medium of instruction in Titian Teras International Standard School (TT-ISS) in Jambi province, Indonesia by investigating students’ socio-demographic characteristics, perceptions on vision, mission, goals and objectives, English as medium of instruction, and facilities and resources of the school. Using a survey questionnaire, document analysis and focus group discussion (FGD), this study involves 190 students in one of international standard schools in Indonesia. Results indicate that socio-demographic characteristics significantly correlated with academic performance. In contrast, students’ perceptions on vision, mission, goals and objectives, facilities and resources, and English as medium of instruction was not significantly related with academic performance. Furthermore, focus group discussion (FGD) shows that students having difficulties to implement English although they are mandated to use English in school. Therefore, students’ preference to use Bahasa Indonesia as medium of instruction in Math and the sciences

Key words: implementation, international standard school, English as medium of instruction