Articles
DOI DOI: 10.62441/actainnovations.v59i.532

Weaving Literacy and Culture: Exploring the Interconnected Effects of Folktale Pedagogy on Vocabulary Depth, Reading Engagement, and Cultural Schema Building

Siti Ansoriyah1, Siti Gomo Attas1, Saiful2
  1. 1 Senior Lecturer of Universitas Negeri Jakarta, Indonesia.
  2. 2 Lecturer and Academic Researcher, Indonesia.

Abstract

This study addresses the urgent need to strengthen literacy by integrating not only linguistic skills but also the cultural dimensions that shape students’ reading engagement and comprehension. Folklore-based pedagogy offers a promising approach, providing rich narrative contexts that expand vocabulary, boost reading motivation, and reinforce cultural schemas, an approach supported by international research on culture-based literacy. This study examines the impact of folklore pedagogy on vocabulary depth, reading engagement, and cultural schema development among elementary and junior high school students. Employing a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design, the quantitative phase involved 142 students (82 in grades IV–V and 60 in grades VII–VIII) in Jagakarsa District, South Jakarta. Data were collected through pre–post vocabulary depth tests and reading engagement questionnaires, analyzed using comparative statistics and effect size measures. The qualitative phase included semi-structured interviews and classroom observations with 12 students and 2 Indonesian language teachers to explore the formation of cultural schemas and shifts in literacy behavior. Results showed significant improvements in vocabulary depth and reading engagement across both education levels. Qualitative findings revealed that local narratives activated cultural meanings, enriched interpretive skills, and deepened emotional connections to texts. These findings underscore the value of integrating folklore into literacy instruction, fostering culturally grounded learning models that enhance language proficiency, reading motivation, and cultural awareness.

 

Keywords: Weaving literacy, Folktale pedagogy, Vocabulary depth, Reading engagement, Cultural schema building.

How to Cite

Ansoriyah, S., Attas, S. G., & Saiful. (2026). Weaving Literacy and Culture: Exploring the Interconnected Effects of Folktale Pedagogy on Vocabulary Depth, Reading Engagement, and Cultural Schema Building. ACTA INNOVATIONS, 59, 132–142. https://doi.org/10.62441/actainnovations.v59i.532
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