The Dynamics of Student-Centered Learning: Experiences from English Teachers in Situbondo Senior High Schools
https://doi.org/10.30605/onoma.v12i1.7537
Keywords:
Student-Centered Learning, EFL, teacher implementationAbstract
This study aims to explore in depth the experiences of English teachers at Situbondo High School in implementing Student-Centered Learning (SCL). The focus covers three things: (1) the extent to which SCL principles are applied, (2) the benefits and challenges experienced by teachers during the implementation process, and (3) teacher strategies to maximize the benefits and overcome these challengesEmploying a sequential explanatory mixed-method design, quantitative data were collected from 33 English teachers through questionnaires, while qualitative data were gathered through classroom observations and semi-structured interviews with six teachers selected based on their implementation levels. The results indicate that the overall implementation of SCL was moderate to high level, reflecting teachers’ growing adaptation to student-centered practices. Among the seven principles, Teacher as Facilitator (M = 3.58) gained the highest scores, while Collaborative Learning (M = 2.99) and Balance of Power (M = 3.01) remained the lowest score but still in the high category. Some benefits were mentioned by teachers, including increased student motivation, confidence, involvement, and teamwork. However, a number of issues surfaced, such as time constraints, inadequate student preparation for independent learning, and a lack of media. To address these problems, teachers used a variety of strategies, including encouraging intrinsic motivation, providing students autonomy, integrating project-based and peer-tutoring activities, and utilizing technology to enhance instruction. This research contributes to the growing body of literature on SCL pedagogy in Asian EFL contexts and provides practical insights into effective strategies for optimizing SCL in secondary education.
Downloads
References
Alam, A. (2023). From Teacher-Centered To Student-Centered Learning: The Role of Constructivism and Connectivism in Pedagogical Transformation. Journal of Education, 11(2), 154–167.
Amalo, B. K., & Petraki, E. (2024). Exploring the Enabling Factors and Constraints for Developing Learner Autonomy in an Underprivileged Indonesian EFL Context. Journal of Asia TEFL, 21(3), 640–660. https://doi.org/10.18823/asiatefl.2024.21.3.8.640
Anbreen, D., & Lateef, A. (2025). Effect of Peer Tutoring on Students’ Academic Achievement in the Subject of English at Grade 10. Social Science Review Archieve, 1957–1966. doi: https://doi.org/10.70670/sra.v3i1.365%0AAbstract
Brandes, D., & Ginnis, P. (1986). A Guide to Student-centered Learning. Black Well.
Donkoh, S., & Amoakwah, A. (2024). Use and Challenges of Learner-Centered Pedagogy: Basic School Teachers’ Perspective. European Journal of Education and Pedagogy, 5(1), 66–71. https://doi.org/10.24018/ejedu.2024.5.1.774
Firdaus, F. H. (2015). Teacher praises and students engagement level in EFL classroom. Journal of English and Education, 2015(2), 28–40. https://media.neliti.com/media/publications/192528-EN-teacher-praises-and-students-engagement.pdf
Fufa, F. S., Tulu, A. H., & Ensene, K. A. (2023). Examining the challenges of using student-centred teaching strategies in secondary schools: A qualitative approach. Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology, November. https://doi.org/10.33902/jpsp.202323181
Harsono. (2008). Sudent-Centered Learning di Perguruan Tinggi. Jurnal Pendidikan Kedokteran Dan Profesi Kesehatan Indonesia, 3(1–2), 4–8.
Homayouni, M. (2022). Peer assessment in group-oriented classroom contexts: on the effectiveness of peer assessment coupled with scaffolding and group work on speaking skills and vocabulary learning. Language Testing in Asia, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40468-022-00211-3
Huda, M., & Lubis, A. H. (2019). Exploring the implementation of student-centered learning in EFL classrooms: Perspectives from Islamic secondary-school teachers in Indonesia. IJELTAL (Indonesian Journal of English Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics), 3(2). https://doi.org/10.21093/ijeltal.v3i2.147
Keiler, L. S. (2018). Teachers’ roles and identities in student-centered classrooms. International Journal of STEM Education, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-018-0131-6
Kukiboyeva, M. (2024). A Comparative Analysis Of Teacher-Centered Approach Versus Student-Centered Approach In Language Instruction. Namangan State University, 1 (1.3), 319–322. https://doi.org/10.47134/ptk.v2i1.2112
Kumar, M. K. (2016). Challenges of Implementing Student-centered Strategies in Classrooms. International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology, 3(12), 1224–1227. www.irjet.net
Martaliana, L., Syahrul, S., & Safitri, L. (2021). The Seven Time Managing Strategies of English Teachers to Adapt with the Change in Curriculum. Elsya : Journal of English Language Studies, 3(1), 45–49. https://doi.org/10.31849/elsya.v3i1.5639
Martin-Alguacil, N., Avedillo, L., Mota-Blanco, R., & Gallego-Agundez, M. (2024). Student-Centered Learning: Some Issues and Recommendations for Its Implementation in a Traditional Curriculum Setting in Health Sciences. Education Sciences, 14(11). https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14111179
Minalla, A. A. (2023). The Effect of Shifting to Student-Centered Learning: Implementing Student-Centered Reading. Journal of Curriculum and Teaching, 12(4), 107–115. https://doi.org/10.5430/JCT.V12N4P107
Nafsiyah, Z., Karmina, S., & Sujiatmoko, A. H. (2025). The Implementation Of Cooperative Learning : A Case Study At International Primary Classroom. Panyonara: Journal of English Education, 7(2), 391–408. https://doi.org/10.19105/panyonara.v7i2.21027
Noptario, N., Irawan, M. F., & Zakaria, A. R. (2024). Strengthening Student Resilience: Student-Centered Learning Model in Merdeka Curriculum in Elementary Islamic School. MUDARRISA: Jurnal Kajian Pendidikan Islam, 16(1), 1–24. https://doi.org/10.18326/mudarrisa.v16i1.575
Ograjšek, S., & Grmek, M. I. (2024). Student-Centred Approaches in Higher Education from the Student Perspective. Center for Educational Policy Studies Journal, July, focus. https://doi.org/10.26529/cepsj.1828
Park, H. (2023). The Effects of Student-Centered Learning on First-Year College Students’ Perceptions of and Investment in English Learning. English Teaching(South Korea), 78(3), 55–84. https://doi.org/10.15858/engtea.78.3.202309.55
Permatasari, Indah (2012) A study on intrinsic motivation to speak english of the seventh graders of SMP laboratorium, Universitas Negeri Malang http://repository.um.ac.id/id/eprint/245141
Rachmadhany, Clarita Dianmonica . (2025). Teachers’ insights on cooperative learning (cl) and challenges in the kurikulum merdeka: Universitas Negeri Malang. Program Studi Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris. http://mulok.library.um.ac.id/index.php?p=show_detail&id=138071&keywords=
Rosli, N. F., Azman, N. N., Rahman, N. A. A., & Soon, G. Y. (2025). Developing a Student-Centered Project-Based Learning Model for English Writing: Insights from ESL Learners. Novitas-ROYAL, 19(1), 100–116. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15210613
Salleh, S., & Yusoff, N. (2016). Teachers’ Attitudes and Beliefs Towards the Use of Student-Centred Learning in English Language Classes. Proceedings of The ICECRS, 1(1), 327–334. https://doi.org/10.21070/picecrs.v1i1.501
Schreurs, J., & Dumbraveanu, R. (2014). A Shift from Teacher Centered to Learner Centered Approach. International Journal of Engineering Pedagogy (IJEP), 4(3), 36. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijep.v4i3.3395
Shaddad, A. R. E., & Jember, B. (2024). A step toward effective language learning: an insight into the impacts of feedback-supported tasks and peer-work activities on learners’ engagement, self-esteem, and language growth. Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40862-024-00261-5
Surizal, D. (2020). The Implementation of Students Center Learning Principles in Teaching and Learning Process. Jurnal Inovasi Edukasi, 3(1), 1–4. https://doi.org/10.35141/jie.v3i1.686
Thibodeaux, T., Harapnuik, D., & Cummings, C. (2019). Student Perceptions of the Influence of the COVA Learning Approach on Authentic Projects and the Learning Environment. International Journal on E-Learning: Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education, 18(1), 79–101. https://doi.org/10.70725/111997gjjvid
Treve, M. (2024). Comparative analysis of teacher-centered and student-centered learning in the context of higher education: A co-word analysis. Iberoamerican Journal of Science Measurement and Communication, 4(2), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.47909/ijsmc.117
Üstünlüoğlu, E. (2009). Autonomy in Language Learning: Do Students Take Responsibility for Their Learning? Journal of Theory & Practice in Education (JTPE), 5(2), 148–169. https://eku.comu.edu.tr/index/5/2/e_ustunluoglu.pdf
Weimer, M. (2002). Student centered teaching: Five key changes to practice. Josset-Bass A Wiley Company San Francico.
Widodo, S. (2018). Professional Development Programs for Teachers of English. Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan, 11(3), 1–11.
Winarsih, W. (2017). Student Centered Learning in English Alive Learning Through Communicative Approach. IJOLTL: Indonesian Journal of Language Teaching and Linguistics, 2(1), 45. https://doi.org/10.30957/ijoltl.v2i1.232
Yuliaristiawan, E. D., Praherdhiono, H., & Surahman, E. (2025). Implementation of Student Centered Approach ( SCA ) with Station Rotation Learning Model to Support 21st Century Learning. 6(4), 3173–3181. https://doi.org/10.38035/dijemss.v6i4
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Dhela Fika Nuzula Firdausi, Francisca Maria Ivone, Ekaning Dewanti Laksmi

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
In submitting the manuscript to the journal, the authors certify that:
- They are authorized by their co-authors to enter into these arrangements.
- The work described has not been formally published before, except in the form of an abstract or as part of a published lecture, review, thesis, or overlay journal.
- That it is not under consideration for publication elsewhere,
- That its publication has been approved by all the author(s) and by the responsible authorities – tacitly or explicitly – of the institutes where the work has been carried out.
- They secure the right to reproduce any material that has already been published or copyrighted elsewhere.
- They agree to the following license and copyright agreement.
License and Copyright Agreement
Authors who publish with Onoma Journal: Education, Languages??, and Literature agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0) that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work.









