Acuity: Journal of English Language Pedagogy, Literature and Culture

The Relationship between Self-determination, Career Motivation, and Conscientiousness in Teacher Education

Ali Kurt — 2025-03-31

Teacher quality is determined by several internal and external factors such as motivation, personality, teacher education programs, and policymaking. Developing insights into how and to what extent these factors interact with one another informs stakeholders in teacher education helping them evaluate and shape the conditions, approaches, content, and practices. This study examined the interplay between autonomy, competence, relatedness, conscientiousness, and career motivation within the framework of Self-Determination Theory (SDT), a macro-motivational theory, among pre-service English language teachers (PSTs) at a university. Utilizing a sequential mixed-method approach, quantitative data from 271 participants were analyzed, supplemented by semi-structured interviews with 17 students. The findings revealed low to moderate correlations among constructs, with notable moderate correlations between competence and conscientiousness (r=.42, p<.01), along with competence and relatedness (r=.38; p<.01). Qualitative insights corroborated these findings, highlighting that relatedness is the weakest factor with a negative connection to career motivation due to poor lecturer-student relationships. The study emphasizes the critical role of faculty-driven education in enhancing PSTs' competence and underscores the need for fostering a supportive educational environment that promotes autonomy and conscientiousness. Recommendations include enhancing teacher education practices to support self-determined motivation and addressing the negative impacts of inadequate lecturer-student relationships on educational outcomes

Improving Eighth Graders' Writing Skills Using Guided Questions at SMP Negeri 20 Palu

Nupita Sari — 2025-03-31

This study aims to determine whether the guided question technique is effective in improving the writing skills of grade VIII students at SMP Negeri 20 Palu. The researcher used a quasi-experimental research design. The population of this study consisted of 111 class VIII students at SMP Negeri 20 Palu. The sample of this study consisted of class VIII B, an experimental class with 29 students, and class VIII C, a control class with 29 students. The sample selection in this study used simple random sampling. The researcher administered pretests and posttests during data collection. The results showed that the average value of the experimental class students on the posttest (75.29) was significantly higher than that of the control class students (58.62). The significance value (Asymp. 2-tailed) is 0.001, which is smaller than the p-value of 0.05; this indicates that the alternative hypothesis (Ha) is accepted. In conclusion, the guided question technique effectively improved the writing skills of grade VIII students at SMP Negeri 20 Palu.

Leveraging Self-Assessment to Enhance Students’ Simple Past Tense Skills at MTs Muhammadiyah Al-Haq Palu

Fajria Fajria — 2025-03-31

This study aims to explore the effect of self-assessment on grammar teaching and learning, by analyzing how students identify and correct errors related to the use of simple past tense in their own work. A quantitative approach was used in this study by using a quasi-experimental design. The sample was selected using purposive sampling technique. Data were collected through a test, which was divided into two: pre-test and post-test. The population in this study was the ninth grade of MTs Muhammadiyah Al-Haq Palu, where class IX C was the experimental group (n=21) and class IX B was the control group (n=18). Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney U test due to the study data was not normally distributed. The results demonstrated that there was an increase in learning outcomes in the use of simple past tense in the experimental group, compared to the control group. It was shown by calculations using the SPSS 24 software system where the Sig (2-tailed) value = 0.000 < 0.05, which means that the null hypothesis is rejected and the alternative hypothesis is accepted. In summary, this study indicated that self-assessment has a significant impact on enhancing students’ ability in simple past tense. The findings offer a new perspective for students, teachers and future researchers in enhancing English language teaching and learning.

The Influence of Digital Texts on Eighth Graders' Reading Comprehension

Wahyu Risa Arisca Irwanto — 2025-04-15

This study aims to determine whether there is a significant influence of digital text on reading comprehension the eighth-grade students of SMP Negeri 20 Palu. This study used a quasi-experimental design, namely 32 students of class VIII A and 29 students of class VIII B, and were classified into experimental and control classes. The experimental class was taught using digital text while the control class was taught using printed text. In addition, this study was conducted through the following procedures: pre-test, treatment, and post-test. Data were collected through a reading test. There was a significant difference between students who were taught using digital text and those who were taught using printed text. This can be seen from the results of the post-test. The mean score in the experimental class is 81.77 and the mean score in the control class is 70.35. The data were analyzed using inferential statistics, including the independent sample t-test. From the results of the t-test, a significance value of 0.000 was obtained which was smaller than the standard significance value, meaning that the null hypothesis (H₀) was rejected and the alternative hypothesis (Hₐ) was accepted. Finally, it can be concluded that digital text is effective for reading comprehension.

Enhancing Ninth-Grade Students’ Vocabulary Through Word Mapping Game at MTs Muhammadiyah Al-Haq Palu

Dinarti — 2025-04-17

This study aims to determine whether the Word Mapping Game is effective in increasing vocabulary mastery of the ninth-grade students at MTs Muhammadiyah Al-Haq Palu. Students of grade IX participated in this research. Two classes were identified as control and experimental classes in this quasi-experimental research design. The researcher used pretest and posttest to collect data. Then, SPSS version 24 was used to analyze the collected data. The results showed that the mean posttest score of students in the experimental class 77.08 was higher than the mean score in the control class 61.85. Furthermore, based on the results of Mann-Whitney U, the sig (2 tailed) value 0.008 was lower than 0.05. It indicated that the alternative hypothesis was accepted and the null hypothesis was rejected. Therefore, the use of Word Mapping Game can increase the vocabulary mastery of the ninth-grade students at MTs Muhammadiyah Al-Haq Palu.

The A Comparative Study of Name Significance in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet and Wilde's Earnest.

Mariwan Hasan — 2025-03-31

In literary discourse, names frequently transcend their conventional role as mere identifiers, emerging as profound symbols of thematic constructs such as identity, societal expectations, and personal values. This dynamic is vividly illustrated in William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet and Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest, each of which employs the concept of names to engage with and critique different societal facets. Shakespeare's approach intertwines names with the thematic exploration of tragic consequences stemming from entrenched familial feuds and rigid social constraints. The protagonists' names in Romeo and Juliet are emblematic of their entangled fates and the destructive nature of inherited animosities, serving to underscore the broader implications of identity and societal division. Conversely, Wilde’s satirical lens in The Importance of Being Earnest utilizes names to critique the superficial values and social pretensions of Victorian society. In Wilde's play, the adoption of false identities and the ensuing comedic conflicts expose the absurdities inherent in societal norms and personal deceptions. This essay will analyze how both Shakespeare and Wilde utilize names as critical instruments for reflecting and critiquing societal norms, relational dynamics, and individual identities. This analysis will be supported by textual evidence and scholarly interpretations, elucidating the distinct approaches each playwright employs in their respective works.

The Realization of Assertive and Directive Speech Acts in Apple’s Instagram Captions

Nanda Alifia — 2025-04-02

This research aims to analyze assertive and directive speech acts in “Apple” official account captions on Instagram using Searle’s theory related to environmental topics, particularly those promoting nature. With the increasing role of social media in corporate communication, companies like Apple have leveraged platforms such as Instagram to engage with their audience and raise awareness of important environmental. By examining the language used in Apple's captions, this study aims to explore how the company employs various communication strategies to influence public attitudes and encourage positive behavior toward environmental sustainability. Through a descriptive qualitative approach, 56 speech acts from the 44 captions were analyzed. The most frequently used speech act by Apple’s captions on Instagram is assertive acts, which are used 50 times and they are asserting (38%), stating (28%), informing (22%), describing (8%), claiming and giving opinion (2%) then directive acts only 6 times. It is utilized to inform, motivate, and provoke thought among followers. From the whole result, this research highlights the role of social media in shaping consumer perceptions and fostering environmental responsibility. The findings provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of language as a tool for building trust and ongoing communication to drive environmental action

Keywords: Instagram, pragmatic, speech act