Quantitative Descriptive Analysis of Students’ Speaking Progression Using VARK Materials
Abstract
The Merdeka Curriculum in Indonesia requires student-centered learning through Differentiated Instruction (DI). However, inflexible textbook approaches often fail to accommodate diverse learning styles, creating a pedagogical gap in speaking skills development. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of VARK-based differentiated materials in supporting the speaking progression of sixth-grade students at SD Negeri 1 Banyuasri. Students were grouped by learning style (visual, auditory, read/write, kinaesthetic) and evaluated on three criteria: speaking clearly, using English words, and understanding and answering. Quantitative analysis revealed a consistent upward trend, with mean score gains of +7.32 in speaking clearly, +6.94 in using English words, and +6.90 in understanding and answering. These findings indicate that aligning sensory input with the VARK model effectively overcome textbook limitations, providing a practical framework to systematically enhance primary students’ English-speaking skills.
Keywords
Full Text:
PDFReferences
Ab Hajis, S., & Othman, N. (2024). Navigating challenges and strategies in implementing differentiated instruction: A conceptual overview. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 14(8). https://doi.org/10.6007/IJARBSS/v14-i8/22153
Aditya, K. I. Y., Wahyuni, L. G. E., & Mahendrayana, G. (2024). The relationship between students’ anxiety level and English-speaking competency in eleventh-grade student of SMA negeri 1 singaraja. Journal of English Language Learning, 8(2), 609–617. https://doi.org/10.31949/jell.v8i2.11306
Alhafizh, N. (2022). Analysis of student learning style profiles for differentiated learning at SMP negeri 23 pekanbaru. Journal of Community Service, 1(1), 1913–1922 https://doi.org/10.51667/djpk.v3i2.1074
Andini, D. W. (2016). Differentiated instruction: Solusi pembelajaran dalam keberagaman siswa di kelas inklusif. https://doi.org/10.30738/trihayu.v2i3.725
Anggraeny, T. F., & Dewi, D. N. (2023). An analysis of teacher strategies in teaching English using differentiated learning. English Journal of Indragiri, 7(1), 129–146. https://doi.org/10.32520/EJI.v7i1.2282
Aprianto, D., & Sutarman. (2025). The impacts of different learning intensities on kinesthetic EFL students’ speaking performance. wej (wiralodra English journal), 9(1), 77–90. https://doi.org/10.31943/wej.v9i1.374
Artini, L. P., Padmadewi, N. N., & Nitiasih, P. K. (2020). Exposures to EFL reading in primary school and impact on writing. Asian EFL Journal, 27(4.5), 183–204 https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003002765-12
Awla, H. A. (2014). Learning styles and their relation to teaching styles. International Journal of Language and Linguistics, 2(3), 241–245. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20140203.23
Brown, H. D. (2004). Language assessment: Principles and classroom practices. Pearson Education https://doi.org/10.1017/cbo9781139524834.005
Cabual, R. A. (2021). Learning styles and preferred learning modalities in the new normal. Open Access Library Journal, 8(4), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1107305
Cameron, L. (2001). Teaching languages to young learners. Cambridge University Press https://doi.org/10.1017/cbo9780511733109.001
Desinguraj, S., & Gnanam, J. S. (2021). Differentiated instruction in education. Research Ambition: An International Multidisciplinary e-Journal, 5(4), 11–14. https://doi.org/10.53724/ambition/v5n4.04
Fadila, M. G., Rozimela, Y., & Zainil, Y. (2025). Textbook evaluation in elementary schools: An approach based on early childhood development. Journal of English Education and Teaching, 9(2), 374–387. https://doi.org/10.33369/jeet.9.2.374-387
Galora Moya, N. P., & Salazar Tobar, M. C. (2018). Differentiated instruction: Productive skills development with high school and university students. Investigación y Desarrollo, 11(1), 67–73. https://doi.org/10.31243/ID.v11.2016.645
Gilakjani, A. P. (2012). Visual, auditory, kinaesthetic learning styles and their impacts on English language teaching. Journal of Studies in Education, 2(1), 104–113. https://doi.org/10.5296/jse.v2i1.1007
Green, K. B., & Towson, J. (2022). Using ability grouping to examine the effects of differentiated instruction in an undergraduate course in communication sciences & disorders. Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.30707/TLCSD6.1.1649037808.600819
Heacox, D. (2012). Differentiating instruction in the regular classroom: How to reach and teach all learners. Free Spirit Publishing https://doi.org/10.4135/9781452275543.n3
Heriansyah, H. (2012). Speaking problems faced by the English department students of syiah kuala university. Lingua Didaktika, 6(1), 37–44 https://doi.org/10.24036/ld.v6i1.7398
Ibna Seraj, P. M., & Habil, H. (2021). A systematic overview of issues for developing EFL learners’ oral English communication skills. Journal of Language and Education, 7(1), 229–240. https://doi.org/10.17323/jle.2021.10737
Krashen, S. D. (1986). Principles and practice in second language acquisition. Pergamon Press https://doi.org/10.2307/342782
Kurniawan, I., Lubis, A. A., & Novita, E. (2025). The implementation of differentiated instruction to improve students’ speaking skills in an academic speaking class. Journal of English Language Studies, 10(2), 334–349. https://doi.org/10.62870/JELS.v10i2.32918
Meilyaningsih, A. I. (2015). Improving the Students’ Speaking Ability Through the Use of Role Playing Technique for Grade VIII Students of SMPN 1 Banguntapan in the Academic Year of 2013/2014 https://doi.org/10.26618/ejpbi.v4i2.927
Munawaroh, F., & Nugraheni, N. (2023). Analysis of student learning styles (learning modalities) in differentiation learning in class 4 of primary school n pesantren. Jurnal Gentala Pendidikan Dasar, 8(1), 88–103 https://doi.org/10.18502/kss.v8i10.13431
Nurelviani, D., & Prastyo, Y. D. (2024). Assessing the impact of differentiated instruction on enhancing students’ speaking proficiency. JIMR: Journal of International Multidisciplinary Research, 3(2), 65–82. https://doi.org/10.62668/jimr.v3i02.1270
Ouyang, J., & Ye, N. (2023). Differentiated instruction: Meeting the needs of all learners. Curriculum and Teaching Methodology, 6(11). https://doi.org/10.23977/curtm.2023.061111
Pradnyandari, I. G. A. D., Mahayanti, N. W. S., & Nitiasih, P. K. (2024). An analysis of differentiated learning in the English textbook “my next words grade 6” based on emancipated curriculum. Jurnal Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris Indonesia, 12(2), 114–128. https://doi.org/10.23887/jpbi.v12i2.3816
Purnamaningwulan, R. A. (2024). Evaluating the efficacy of differentiated instruction in EFL speaking classes: A classroom action research study. Voices of English Language Education Society, 8(1), 186–196. https://doi.org/10.29408/veles.v8i1.25635
Putra, G. S. (2023). The misconception in differentiated instruction practices: A literature review. Open Journal of Social Sciences, 11(1), 305–315. https://doi.org/10.4236/jss.2023.111022
Putri, K. S. V, Mahayanti, N. W. S., & Nitiasih, P. K. (2024). The development of differentiated material for teaching sixth-grade students of elementary school. Universitas Pendidikan Ganesha https://doi.org/10.24256/pijies.v7i2.5947
Rahayu, A. S., Eryansyah, E., & Sitinjak, M. D. (2022). The correlation between students’ learning styles and the eleventh grade students’ speaking ability at SMA n 4 palembang. English Review: Journal of English Education, 10(2), 579–586. https://doi.org/10.25134/erjee.v10i2.6260
Rao, P. S. (2019). The Importance of Speaking Skills in English Classrooms.
Ratminingsih, N. M., & Budasi, I. G. (2018). Local culture-based picture storybooks for teaching English for young learners. shs web of conferences, 42, 16. https://doi.org/10.1051/shsconf/20184200016
Sada, S. H., Astuti, E. W., & Astutik, I. (2024). Meningkatkan kemampuan berbicara siswa kelas xi pm 1 dengan strategi pembelajaran berdiferensiasi. PTK: Jurnal Penelitian Tindakan Kelas, 1(2), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.47134/ptk.v1i2.58
Safitri, D., & Misdi. (2021). Speaking fluency and EFL learners’ reluctance to speak English among primary school students: Factors and evidence. Eternal (English, Teaching, Learning, and Research Journal), 12(2), 126–138.
Syafrizal, Gailea, N., Pahamzah, J., Juniardi, Y., & Nikmah, I. F. (2020). The correlation of students’ learning styles, learning motivation, and speaking ability. Jelts (journal of English language teaching and cultural studies), 3(2), 85–96. https://doi.org/10.48181/jelts.v3i2.9543
Tiwery, D. S., & Ritiauw, P. P. (2022). Students’ learning styles and strategies in mastering the English language: A classroom based research in SMA negeri siwalima. Jurnal Pedagogik Dan Dinamika Pendidikan, 10(2), 132–145. https://doi.org/10.30598/pedagogikavol10issue2year2022
Tomlinson, C. A. (2014). The Differentiated Classroom: Responding to the Needs of All Learners (2nd ed.). ASCD.
Wahdaniah, Baa, S., & Korompot, C. A. (2025). The implementation of differentiated learning strategy for teaching speaking in merdeka curriculum at remote island sarappo lompo: Teacher’s voices. Klasikal: Journal of Education, Language Teaching and Science, 7(3), 1425–1437. https://doi.org/10.52208/klasikal.v7i3.1606
DOI: https://doi.org/10.31004/jele.v11i5.3025
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
Copyright (c) 2026 Ni Made Wening Dwi Shartika, Ni Wayan Surya Mahayanti, Luh Putu Dian Kresnawati

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.


