Journal of Education, Social & Communication Studies

Enhancing student writing motivation through canva-based instruction in hotel accommodation class

Fauziyyah Mufida Suni, Wulandari Ella — Fri, 01 May 2026 00:00:00 +0800

Mastering writing skills is important for vocational school students, yet they are low in motivation due to monotonous learning media. This study measures the potential of Canva as a learning medium to enhance writing motivation among vocational high school students. The research employs a Pretest-Posttest Control-Group Design with 70 students in grade 10 enrolled in hotel accommodation at SMKN 1 Kalasan. Participants were cluster-randomised into a treatment and a control group. Data were collected using pre- and post-test questionnaires. The questionnaire demonstrated strong validity and high reliability. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and One-Way Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA), resulting in significant treatment effects (p < .05) when utilizing Canva. The experiment group's learning with Canva consistently shows higher motivation and engagement. Canva-based instruction effectively enhanced students' writing motivation in a vocational ESP setting. Integrating Canva into English language writing instruction effectively increases students’ motivation to learn. These research findings supported the utilisation of interactive and visually rich media in the classroom. The integration of Canva can foster students’ motivation, engagement, and the development of writing skills. Students should use Canva for their learning materials, as it is one of the learning facilities provided by the Ministry of Education.

Echoes of devotion: Okokan in Tabanan as ritual sound, social cohesion, and Balinese spiritual life

Fri, 01 May 2026 00:00:00 +0800

The Tektekan Okokan tradition of Kediri, Tabanan, is a surviving Balinese ritual using sonic instruments—Okokan, Kulkul, and Tengteng—to repel disease outbreaks (grubug) and neutralize negative forces in the village. Historically performed for days or even months following spiritual messages (pawisik) and signs of occult disturbance, today it is mainly held on Pengerupukan, the eve of Nyepi, as a replacement for ogoh-ogoh processions while circling the village. This practice inspires the creation of a contemporary fashion collection. Data on the tradition were obtained through literature study, observation, and documentation. The design process follows the eight‑stage Frangipani method (design brief; research and sourcing; design development; final collection; prototype, sampling, and construction; promotion, branding, and sales; production; and business). The resulting works comprise three categories—ready to wear, ready to wear deluxe, and haute couture—visualizing Tektekan Okokan through selected keywords and plague‑like, enveloping motif details that symbolically depict the village under attack and ritually protected.

Navigating cultural dynamics and translation challenges to achieve equivalence while preserving meaning and context sensitively

Fri, 01 May 2026 00:00:00 +0800

This study aims to explore the cultural dynamics and challenges involved in achieving equivalence in translation, focusing on balancing meaning and context to ensure accurate and culturally sensitive communication. The methodology includes qualitative analyses of translation cases across literary, technical, and survey contexts, employing comparative textual analysis, interviews with translators, and content analysis to examine strategies such as dynamic equivalence, localization, adaptation, and consultation with cultural informants. Analysis reveals that translators must navigate complex cultural references, idiomatic expressions, and emotional connotations while maintaining semantic, conceptual, and content equivalence. Findings highlight the importance of translators acting as cultural mediators who balance fidelity to the source text with necessary adaptations to the target culture’s norms and sensitivities. The study concludes that successful translation requires a nuanced approach that integrates linguistic accuracy with cultural competence to bridge gaps between source and target audiences effectively. Future translation efforts should emphasize collaboration with cultural experts and adopt flexible strategies to preserve both meaning and cultural context.

Subtitle translation’s role in shaping cross-cultural understanding, interpretation, and audience engagement in chennai express

Fri, 01 May 2026 00:00:00 +0800

This study investigates how English subtitle translation shapes cross‑cultural understanding, interpretation, and aesthetic appreciation of the Indian film Chennai Express. Drawing on audio-visual translation theory, especially work on defamiliarization, cultural adaptation, and multimodality, the research examines how subtitles mediate linguistic humour, regional dialects, and culturally loaded references for international audiences. A mixed qualitative design combines multimodal discourse analysis of selected scenes with viewer response questionnaires modelled on cross‑national reception and comprehension studies of subtitled film. Analysis focuses on translation strategies (literal, free, hybrid; domestication vs. foreignization), timing, and stylistic choices, and how these interact with visual and auditory cues to construct meaning and emotion. Findings are expected to show that while subtitles generally secure narrative comprehension across cultures, they also defamiliarize the viewing experience and selectively dilute or reframe culture‑specific humour, social hierarchies, and regional identities. The conclusion argues that high‑quality, culturally sensitive subtitling is crucial for preserving the film’s comic energy and postcolonial cultural textures while enabling global accessibility and intercultural dialogue.

Exploring how novel reading enhances youth literacy, deepens insight, and fosters creative thinking

Tue, 05 May 2026 00:00:00 +0800

Reading has various benefits in everyday life, especially for teenagers. This study aims to explore the impact of reading novels on adolescents' literacy, creativity, critical thinking and mental health. Through the analysis of data obtained from 12 respondents aged 19-20 years old, results show that 100% of respondents agreed that reading novels can improve their literacy and creativity. The knowledge gained from reading helps teens develop creative thinking and critical thinking skills. The survey results also indicated that 100% of respondents found reading novels helpful in coping with emotions and stress, with genres as diverse as romance, fiction, history and politics. In addition, this study confirms the importance of emotional intelligence in helping adolescents recognize and manage their feelings. This finding is in line with previous research showing that reading interest is positively related to critical thinking and critical reading skills. Overall, the results of this study suggest that reading novels not only improves cognitive skills but also provides significant emotional support for adolescents in facing the challenges of daily life.

Family communication patterns and school dropout intention: The mediating role of academic resilience among Cambodian high school students

Ramasa Varity — Fri, 01 May 2026 00:00:00 +0800

Family communication patterns play a critical role in shaping adolescents’ educational experiences and decisions. This study examines the relationship between family communication patterns and school dropout intention, with particular emphasis on the mediating role of academic resilience among high school students in Cambodia. A quantitative survey was conducted with 243 students selected through simple random sampling, measuring conversation orientation, conformity orientation, academic resilience, and school dropout intention. The findings reveal that family communication patterns significantly influence both academic resilience and students’ intention to leave school. Academic resilience mediates the relationships between both dimensions of family communication patterns and school dropout intention, highlighting its role as a key psychological mechanism linking family communication processes to educational outcomes. This study extends the application of family communication patterns theory by demonstrating its relevance in a non-Western, collectivist context and by integrating academic resilience as a mediating construct. It further underscores how culturally embedded family communication practices shape students’ capacity to persist in school. The findings offer interdisciplinary insights for education, social, and communication research, while providing practical implications for educators, policymakers, and families in addressing school dropout intention through strengthened communication and resilience-building strategies.