Teaching English as a Foreign Language Journal
Vol. 4 No. 2 (2025)

Students’ voices on how drama builds English-speaking confidence in an Indonesian university

Pratolo, Bambang Widi (Unknown)
Dewi, Nuria Punjastala (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
26 Nov 2025

Abstract

This qualitative case study examines how drama supports English speaking confidence among undergraduate students in an English Education Study Program. Data were obtained from video recorded analyses of three performances by seventeen students and interviews with six purposively selected participants. The analysis followed Braun and Clarke’s thematic procedures. Six themes emerged. Repeated practice strengthened confidence. Role play functioned as an emotional shield that reduced self-consciousness. Students experienced a shift from hesitation to greater fluency. Nonverbal behaviors signaled increased assurance. Peer support helped students regulate emotions during performance. Participants viewed drama as more engaging than conventional instruction. The findings align with Bandura’s self-efficacy theory and Krashen’s affective filter hypothesis. Drama provided mastery experiences, social models, persuasive feedback, and reduced anxiety, which supported language development. The study offers practical direction for curriculum design by recommending scaffolded drama tasks in speaking courses. Teachers are encouraged to use role play and impersonation activities to strengthen confidence. The study contributes contextually by examining a compulsory drama course in a private university, providing evidence of confidence gains that are transferable beyond elective drama contexts.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

tefl

Publisher

Subject

Humanities Education Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media Social Sciences Other

Description

Focus and Scope Aims • The journal provides a formal, well-organised forum for non-native-English scholars to make new academic contributions to research and practice in ELT on a global basis. • The journal serves as a hosting space for both native and non-native academics to share ideas and ...