Collaborative Inquiry Instruction Builds Junior High School Oral Communication Proficiency
Abstract
General Background Inquiry-Based Learning provides a student-centered framework that promotes active knowledge construction and verbal practice. Specific Background Secondary education learners frequently experience anxiety and restricted vocabulary during English dialogues due to conventional teacher-centered instructional methods. Knowledge Gap While interactive methods are widely recognized, limited research explains the systematic implementation of inquiry frameworks specifically integrated with the officially recommended English for Nusantara textbook. Aims This study investigates how a structured five-stage pedagogical approach utilizing contextual materials shapes the speaking performance of seventh-grade learners. Results Quantitative assessments from thirty-six participants demonstrated that conversational scores surged from an average of 43.00 to 81.78 following the instructional intervention. Furthermore, non-parametric statistical testing confirmed significant advancements across pronunciation, fluency, vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension dimensions. Novelty This research details a specialized alignment between structured active phases and the Kurikulum Merdeka framework to directly resolve conversational hesitation. Implications Educators should systematically integrate collaborative pedagogical activities with contextual reading resources to build learner confidence and achieve the communicative goals of modern educational curricula. Highlights: Integrating the English for Nusantara textbook significantly advances verbal articulation and grammatical accuracy. Structured questioning and investigating phases eliminate learner hesitation during classroom dialogue. The Kurikulum Merdeka framework successfully shifts teacher-centered environments toward interactive peer discussions. Keywords: Inquiry-Based Learning, English For Nusantara, Kurikulum Merdeka, Speaking Performance, Active Knowledge Construction