International Journal of Pedagogical Language, Literature, and Cultural Studies (i-Plural)

Usability Study of Virtual Reality Media on the Theme Im Krankenhaus in A2-Level German Language Learning at Universitas Negeri Malang

Amanda Putri Kurnia — 2026-07-18

This study examines the usability of a Virtual Reality (VR)-based learning medium entitled Im Krankenhaus in A2-level German language learning at Universitas Negeri Malang. The study responds to the need for contextual and immersive learning media that support situational communication, particularly in healthcare-related contexts. A descriptive quantitative approach was employed involving 20 students from the German Language Education Study Program. Data were collected using the System Usability Scale (SUS). The results showed that the Im Krankenhaus VR medium achieved a mean SUS score of 70.5, placing it in the acceptable category with a Grade B classification. This indicates that the medium demonstrates a good level of usability and is suitable for German language learning. Item-level analysis revealed strong learnability, as participants perceived the system as easy to use and easy to learn. Furthermore, participants’ willingness to reuse the VR medium reflected a positive level of satisfaction, indicating a favorable user experience and increased confidence during interaction with the system. However, some participants still required assistance and an adaptation period during initial use. The novelty of this study lies in its focus on the usability of VR-based media in German language learning within a healthcare communication context. The findings suggest that VR has considerable potential as an immersive and contextual learning medium, particularly when accompanied by adequate user orientation and guidance.

AI-Based Feedback in German as a Foreign Language Classes: Relevance and Impact on Learners' Writing Skills.

Dwi Putri Ningsih — 2026-07-18

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in foreign language teaching is a widely discussed topic among educators. Some are concerned that learners will become too dependent on AI tools, making it difficult for teachers to assess their actual language proficiency. However, recent studies (e.g. Schluer, 2024) demonstrate that AI-Based Feedback can serve as an effective 'teaching assistant’. This research analyses the importance and effectiveness of AI feedback in German as a foreign language instruction for beginners. The focus is on the influence of automatic feedback on writing proficiency. The study examines the opportunities and risks of this technology. It demonstrates how teachers can use AI tools to support the learning process while enabling learners to write independently. The result showed that AI- Based Feedback helps learners to study more independently. However, this is only the case if the tools — in this instance, AI bots — are used in a controlled manner. A critical point is that overly complicated corrections can overwhelm learners.

Implementing the Kumon 4.0 Method as an Interactive Medium for Learning Mandarin Vocabulary in the Mandarin Language Education Study Program at UM

Deva Fitri Anggraini — 2026-07-18

This study aims to describe the form and type of interjection based on its function in a Mandarin comic entitled 非人哉 [Fēi rén zāi] by 一汪空气 [Yī Wāng Kōng Qì]. The analysis of this study uses the theory according to Liu Yuehua, Pan Wenyu, dan Gu Wei. The method used is a qualitative method using a library research approach. Data collection techniques are carried out through documentation and notes. Data analysis techniques are carried out in three stages (1) selection, (2) reduction, (3) interpretation. The main data source in this study is the comic 非人哉 [Fēi rén zāi] Karya 一汪空气 [Yī Wāng Kōng Qì]. The data analyzed were taken from chapters 1 to 50. The results found 15 forms of interjections in 8 types of interjections based on their function of use, namely expressions expressing feelings of satisfaction, pride, pleasure, or happiness, expressions expressing anger, sighs, and sadness, expressions expressing admiration and envy, expressions expressing surprise, expressions expressing disapproval, complaining, and reprimanding, expressions expressing expressions of understanding or comprehension, expressions expressing exclamations and answers, expressions expressing expressions of asking the same thing and unexpected things. This study is expected to contribute to strengthening Linguistic studies in Mandarin literature and help students understand the meaning and function of interjections more deeply.

Issues in the Implementation of the “Merdeka” Curriculum in Junior High Schools in Ambon City

Tanwey Gerson Ratumanan — 2026-07-18

This study aims to identify junior high school teachers’ understanding of the Merdeka Curriculum and the challenges encountered in its implementation in Ambon City. The research was conducted in 14 junior high schools, including eight public and six private institutions, involving a total of 66 respondents—14 school principals and 52 teachers. A mixed-method approach combining quantitative descriptive and qualitative analysis was employed. The findings reveal that: (1) Teachers in Ambon’s junior high schools demonstrate a relatively high level of understanding of the Merdeka Curriculum, with an average score of 87.6%. (2) All junior high schools (100%) have adopted the Merdeka Curriculum and developed their respective Operational Curriculum of the Education Unit documents. Schools report an average of 10 extracurricular activities, showing a tendency toward increased student involvement. The Pancasila Student Profile Strengthening Project (P5) has been implemented in 92.86% of schools, with themes tailored to each school’s context. (3) The curriculum's implementation has had a positive impact, enhancing teacher performance, creativity, and overall learning quality. (4) However, several challenges persist, including 17.14% of schools not yet implementing the P5 program; teachers’ limited ability to design integrated strategies for developing literacy and numeracy; suboptimal use of information and communication technology; and difficulties in creating assessment instruments that effectively balance comprehension, application, and reasoning. The study highlights the need for ongoing training and support to ensure effective and sustainable implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum in junior high schools.

A Study on Doubao AI-Assisted Chinese Oral Teaching Practice for Indonesian Primary School Students

Yingyan Chen — 2026-07-18

In Chinese language teaching for Indonesian primary school students, learners have long faced insufficient opportunities for meaningful language input and oral output, limiting the development of communicative competence. This study investigates the use of Doubao AI as an auxiliary tool to support Chinese oral instruction. The participants were 30 students from a cross-grade combined class of Grades 5 and 6 at Dezhi School in Malang, Indonesia. The research employed classroom teaching practice using a pre-post comparative design, supported by classroom observation and systematic data recording. The findings indicate that integrating Doubao AI increased students’ exposure to target language structures, encouraged more active classroom participation, and provided additional opportunities for oral interaction through contextualized learning tasks and immediate feedback. Students also demonstrated greater willingness to communicate in Chinese during classroom activities. However, several limitations were identified, including inaccuracies in speech recognition, translation errors, limited pronunciation correction, and insufficient personalized instructional support. These issues reduced the effectiveness of AI in certain learning situations and required continuous teacher intervention. Therefore, while Doubao AI shows considerable potential as a supplementary tool for enhancing Chinese oral teaching in overseas primary schools, it cannot replace teachers, who remain essential for providing pedagogical guidance, language correction, classroom management, and ensuring safe and effective AI-assisted learning.