<![CDATA[The use of English as a medium of daily communication has become one of the strategies implemented in many Islamic boarding schools (pesantren) to improve students' communicative competence through authentic language practice. However, students experience both benefits and challenges in using English consistently in their daily interactions. Therefore, this study aimed to explore students' experiences and challenges in using English for daily communication at Pondok Pesantren Al-Fatih. This study employed a qualitative research design involving fifteen senior high school students from Grades 10, 11, and 12 who were purposively selected as participants. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings revealed that students generally had positive experiences in using English for daily communication, particularly during English classes, the English Week program, and interactions with teachers and peers, which increased their motivation, enriched their vocabulary, and provided opportunities to practice English in authentic communicative contexts. Nevertheless, the participants also encountered several challenges, including limited speaking fluency, insufficient vocabulary, pronunciation difficulties, and fear of making mistakes, which affected their confidence in using English. The findings further indicated that students' use of English was influenced by both personal motivation and the boarding school's English-speaking policy, which together encouraged regular language practice. In conclusion, the implementation of English as a medium of daily communication at Pondok Pesantren Al-Fatih provides meaningful opportunities for language learning while also presenting linguistic and psychological challenges that require continuous support from teachers and the school environment. This study contributes to a better understanding of English language use in Islamic boarding school contexts and offers practical insights for developing more effective English language programs.]]>
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