LOCAL WISDOM-BASED CURRICULUM OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE: BRIDGING LANGUAGE AND CULTURE IN INDONESIAN MADRASAH TSANAWIYAH
Abstract
This study explores how a curriculum rooted in local wisdom can connect English language teaching with local cultural values in Islamic Junior High Schools (Madrasah Tsanawiyah) in Indonesia. Language and culture are deeply intertwined in learning a foreign language, especially in religious educational settings like madrasas with distinctive characteristics. Using a qualitative approach, this research reviews relevant scientific sources—including journal articles, academic books, and curriculum policy documents—focused on integrating local wisdom into English education. Findings suggest that incorporating local wisdom into the curriculum can make foreign language learning more relevant, reinforce students' cultural identity, and promote intercultural communication skills. Additionally, this approach enables teachers to develop contextual, meaningful teaching materials that reflect students' social realities, preventing English learning from becoming isolated from their cultural background. The study highlights the importance of designing an English curriculum that emphasizes both linguistic competence and the transmission of local values and culture. This foundation is essential for cultivating madrasah generations capable of speaking foreign languages while maintaining their cultural identity. Consequently, English teaching in madrasas can serve as an educational transformation rooted in values yet open to global engagement.
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