INTEGRATING FAITH WITH GLOBAL COMPETENCE IN PESANTREN ENGLISH EDUCATION: CHALLENGES AND STRATEGIES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.30868/ei.v15i01.9514Keywords:
English language education; Pesantren, faith-based learning; global competence ,and pedagogical strategies.Abstract
The integration of English language education into Islamic boarding schools presents both pedagogical opportunities and ideological tensions. While English enables access to global knowledge and intercultural engagement, its incorporation into faith-based institutions raises concerns regarding identity preservation and cultural authenticity. This qualitative study investigates how English education is conceptualized, implemented, and experienced within a pesantren context. Drawing on interviews with leaders, teachers, and students, classroom observations, and document analysis, the study reveals an emerging integrative model in which English is reframed as a vehicle for da’wah, intellectual expansion, and global participation. Findings indicate that English is not positioned as a secular intrusion but as a strategic instrument embedded within Islamic epistemology. However, structural constraints including limited instructional time, technological resources, and curriculum coherencecomplicate sustainable implementation. The study proposes a Faith-Integrated Global Competence Model, demonstrating how religious identity, pedagogical practice, and institutional adaptation interact dynamically. This study contributes to the discourse on integrating global competencies with faith-based education, offering a contextual model for English language education that blends Islamic principles with global engagement.
References
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Akmal, Saiful, Yuliar Masna, Mutiara Tria, and Titin Arifa Maulida. 2020. “EFL Teachers’ Perceptions: Challenges and Coping Strategies of Integrated Skills Approach (ISA) Implementation at Senior High Schools in Aceh.” IJELTAL (Indonesian Journal of English Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics) 4(2):363. doi:10.21093/ijeltal.v4i2.522.
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Anisah, Siti. 2025. “EFL Students ’ Learning Activity Preferences in Islamic Boarding School : Are They Different from Reality ?” (2022):45–55.
Astuti, Ruli, M. Lutfi Mustofa, and Nur Maslikhatun Nisak. 2024. “Integration of Islamic Values in English Language Teaching in the Digital Era : Challenges and Prospectives.” 8(1). doi:10.21070/halaqa.v8i1.1680.
Auladi, Ifan Rikhza, and Muhamad Rifqi Bakhtiar. 2023. “Teaching Culture at English Language Learning in Pesantren.” Indonesian Journal of Education and Pedagogy 1(2):116–30. doi:10.61251/ijoep.v1i2.62.
Boy Jon, Roi, Rahimah Embong, Bambang Purnama, and Ari Safar Wadi. 2021. “The Challenges of English Language Teaching in Indonesia.” International Journal of English and Applied Linguistics (IJEAL) 1(3):158–68. doi:10.47709/ijeal.v1i3.1157.
Crystal, David. 2003. English as a Global Language, Second Edition.
Dhian Marita Sari. 2023. “English Language Teaching in Pesantren: Challenges and Strategies.” At Turots: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam 5(001):110–23. doi:10.51468/jpi.v5i2.174.
Eliawati, Deni, Ngadiso Ngadiso, and Kristian Adi Putra. 2024. “The Position of English in the Linguistic Schoolscapes in an Indonesian Islamic Boarding School.” Indonesian Journal of EFL and Linguistics 9(May):247–76. doi:10.21462/ijefl.v9i1.787.
Faizin, Mochamad Arif. 2024. “Islamic Boarding Education Management Reform: Transformation Strategies to Improve Competitiveness and Relevance.” AL-ISHLAH: Jurnal Pendidikan 16(2):2497–2506. doi:10.35445/alishlah.v16i2.4462.
Latif, Helmi Abdul. 2019. “Needs Analysis of English for Specific Purposes on Islamic Boarding School Students.” VELES Voices of English Language Education Society 3(2):136. doi:10.29408/veles.v3i2.1568.
Madkur, Ahmad, and Muhammad Syihab As’ad. 2024. “Negotiating the Complexities of English Language Teaching in a Religiously Rooted Environment: Indonesian Pesantren Teachers’ Perspectives.” Eralingua: Jurnal Pendidikan Bahasa Asing Dan Sastra 8(1):201. doi:10.26858/eralingua.v8i1.58639.
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Miles, Matthew B., Huberman A. Michael, and Johnny Saldaña. 2014. “Qualitative Data Analysis A Methods Sourcebook.” Pp. 1–341 in. United State.
Muhajir, R., Alan Jaelani, and Abu Syhabuddin. 2025. “Curriculum Practices and Challenges of English for Da ’ Wah in Islamic Boarding School.” 14(3):203–18. doi:10.32832/tadibuna.
Prayuni, Ary. 2023. “Islamic Schools in Facing Global Challenges.” Proceedings The 2nd Annual Dharmawangsa International Conference 187–95.
Putri, Nadya Aulia, Mirjam Anugerahwati, and Yusnita Febrianti. 2025. “English Language Teaching in Islamic Boarding School: Navigating the Digital Revolution.” ELTALL: English Language Teaching, Applied Linguistic and Literature 6(1):24–30. doi:10.21154/eltall.v6i1.10827.
Rahman, Fadhlur, Ali Al-Nahdi, and Zurriyati Zurriyati. 2023. “The (In) Famous English Language Policy in Pesantren: What We Already Know and What Remains Unknown.” Idarah (Jurnal Pendidikan Dan Kependidikan) 7(2):165–82. doi:10.47766/idarah.v7i2.821.
Sari, Dhian Marita. 2025. “Speaking Challenges of High and Low Achieving EFL Students in Indonesian Pesantren : A Comparative Study.” 6(2):185–96.
Septian Arief Budiman, Mukhlisin, Fil Isnaeni, Sopyan Hadi, and Mohd Fuad Othman. 2025. “Teachers ’ Perspectives and Institutional Readiness in the Implementation of Holistic Islamic Education : A Case From.” 3(2):43–48. doi:10.53889/jaiem.v3i2.721.
Sholihah, Nanda, Apri Wardana Ritonga, and Ayu Desrani. 2024. “Environmental and Institutional Support: A Study of English Language Education in Pesantren Settings.” Jelita 6(1):33–49. doi:10.56185/jelita.v6i1.878.
Umar, Umar. 2021. “ENGLISH LEARNING DIFFICULTIES FACED by SANTRI in ISLAMIC BOARDING SCHOOL: AN ANALYSIS.” Journal of English Language and Literature (JELL) 6(2):51–58. doi:10.37110/jell.v6i2.124.
Umar, Umar. 2022. “English Language Teaching in Pesantren in Indonesia: Development and Challenges.” Journal of English Language and Literature (JELL) 7(1):55–64. doi:10.37110/jell.v7i1.143.
Wajdi, Firdaus, and Rihlah Nur Aulia. 2019. “Ma‘had ’Aly and the Challenge of Modernizing Islamic Education in Indonesia.” Hayula: Indonesian Journal of Multidisciplinary Islamic Studies 3(2):173–90. doi:10.21009/hayula.003.2.04.
Zulkarnain & Abrar. 2025. “An Ethnographic Study of Teaching Methods Used by English Teachers.” Jurnal Pendidikan Riset Dan Konseptual 9(1):150–57. http://journal.unublitar.ac.id/pendidikan/index.php/Riset_Konseptual.
Agustina, Yulia, Margana, Nur Hidayanto Pancoro Setyo Putro, and M. Adib Nazri. 2023. “Designing English Instructions for Islamic Settings: A Need Analysis in Indonesian Pesantren.” World Journal of English Language 13(8):373–82. doi:10.5430/wjel.v13n8p373.
Akmal, Saiful, Yuliar Masna, Mutiara Tria, and Titin Arifa Maulida. 2020. “EFL Teachers’ Perceptions: Challenges and Coping Strategies of Integrated Skills Approach (ISA) Implementation at Senior High Schools in Aceh.” IJELTAL (Indonesian Journal of English Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics) 4(2):363. doi:10.21093/ijeltal.v4i2.522.
Alfisuma, Meria Zakiyah, Tri Pujiati, and Bahtiyar Rifa. 2025. “Bridging Tradition and Modernity : English Language Instruction in Indonesian Pesantren for Global and Da ’ Wah Purposes.” 02:626–35.
Anisah, Siti. 2025. “EFL Students ’ Learning Activity Preferences in Islamic Boarding School : Are They Different from Reality ?” (2022):45–55.
Astuti, Ruli, M. Lutfi Mustofa, and Nur Maslikhatun Nisak. 2024. “Integration of Islamic Values in English Language Teaching in the Digital Era : Challenges and Prospectives.” 8(1). doi:10.21070/halaqa.v8i1.1680.
Auladi, Ifan Rikhza, and Muhamad Rifqi Bakhtiar. 2023. “Teaching Culture at English Language Learning in Pesantren.” Indonesian Journal of Education and Pedagogy 1(2):116–30. doi:10.61251/ijoep.v1i2.62.
Boy Jon, Roi, Rahimah Embong, Bambang Purnama, and Ari Safar Wadi. 2021. “The Challenges of English Language Teaching in Indonesia.” International Journal of English and Applied Linguistics (IJEAL) 1(3):158–68. doi:10.47709/ijeal.v1i3.1157.
Crystal, David. 2003. English as a Global Language, Second Edition.
Dhian Marita Sari. 2023. “English Language Teaching in Pesantren: Challenges and Strategies.” At Turots: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam 5(001):110–23. doi:10.51468/jpi.v5i2.174.
Eliawati, Deni, Ngadiso Ngadiso, and Kristian Adi Putra. 2024. “The Position of English in the Linguistic Schoolscapes in an Indonesian Islamic Boarding School.” Indonesian Journal of EFL and Linguistics 9(May):247–76. doi:10.21462/ijefl.v9i1.787.
Faizin, Mochamad Arif. 2024. “Islamic Boarding Education Management Reform: Transformation Strategies to Improve Competitiveness and Relevance.” AL-ISHLAH: Jurnal Pendidikan 16(2):2497–2506. doi:10.35445/alishlah.v16i2.4462.
Latif, Helmi Abdul. 2019. “Needs Analysis of English for Specific Purposes on Islamic Boarding School Students.” VELES Voices of English Language Education Society 3(2):136. doi:10.29408/veles.v3i2.1568.
Madkur, Ahmad, and Muhammad Syihab As’ad. 2024. “Negotiating the Complexities of English Language Teaching in a Religiously Rooted Environment: Indonesian Pesantren Teachers’ Perspectives.” Eralingua: Jurnal Pendidikan Bahasa Asing Dan Sastra 8(1):201. doi:10.26858/eralingua.v8i1.58639.
Mas’udi, Ahmad Thoyib. 2024. “The Evolution of Pesantren Education: Continuity and Change in Curriculum and Management amid Modernization.” Journal of Pesantren and Diniyah Studies 1(2):211–18. doi:10.63245/jpds.v1i2.23.
Miles, Matthew B., Huberman A. Michael, and Johnny Saldaña. 2014. “Qualitative Data Analysis A Methods Sourcebook.” Pp. 1–341 in. United State.
Muhajir, R., Alan Jaelani, and Abu Syhabuddin. 2025. “Curriculum Practices and Challenges of English for Da ’ Wah in Islamic Boarding School.” 14(3):203–18. doi:10.32832/tadibuna.
Prayuni, Ary. 2023. “Islamic Schools in Facing Global Challenges.” Proceedings The 2nd Annual Dharmawangsa International Conference 187–95.
Putri, Nadya Aulia, Mirjam Anugerahwati, and Yusnita Febrianti. 2025. “English Language Teaching in Islamic Boarding School: Navigating the Digital Revolution.” ELTALL: English Language Teaching, Applied Linguistic and Literature 6(1):24–30. doi:10.21154/eltall.v6i1.10827.
Rahman, Fadhlur, Ali Al-Nahdi, and Zurriyati Zurriyati. 2023. “The (In) Famous English Language Policy in Pesantren: What We Already Know and What Remains Unknown.” Idarah (Jurnal Pendidikan Dan Kependidikan) 7(2):165–82. doi:10.47766/idarah.v7i2.821.
Sari, Dhian Marita. 2025. “Speaking Challenges of High and Low Achieving EFL Students in Indonesian Pesantren : A Comparative Study.” 6(2):185–96.
Septian Arief Budiman, Mukhlisin, Fil Isnaeni, Sopyan Hadi, and Mohd Fuad Othman. 2025. “Teachers ’ Perspectives and Institutional Readiness in the Implementation of Holistic Islamic Education : A Case From.” 3(2):43–48. doi:10.53889/jaiem.v3i2.721.
Sholihah, Nanda, Apri Wardana Ritonga, and Ayu Desrani. 2024. “Environmental and Institutional Support: A Study of English Language Education in Pesantren Settings.” Jelita 6(1):33–49. doi:10.56185/jelita.v6i1.878.
Umar, Umar. 2021. “ENGLISH LEARNING DIFFICULTIES FACED by SANTRI in ISLAMIC BOARDING SCHOOL: AN ANALYSIS.” Journal of English Language and Literature (JELL) 6(2):51–58. doi:10.37110/jell.v6i2.124.
Umar, Umar. 2022. “English Language Teaching in Pesantren in Indonesia: Development and Challenges.” Journal of English Language and Literature (JELL) 7(1):55–64. doi:10.37110/jell.v7i1.143.
Wajdi, Firdaus, and Rihlah Nur Aulia. 2019. “Ma‘had ’Aly and the Challenge of Modernizing Islamic Education in Indonesia.” Hayula: Indonesian Journal of Multidisciplinary Islamic Studies 3(2):173–90. doi:10.21009/hayula.003.2.04.
Zulkarnain & Abrar. 2025. “An Ethnographic Study of Teaching Methods Used by English Teachers.” Jurnal Pendidikan Riset Dan Konseptual 9(1):150–57. http://journal.unublitar.ac.id/pendidikan/index.php/Riset_Konseptual.
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