Innovation Technology and Pedagogy in English Language Classroom: Opportunities and Challenges in Vocational Education
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24256/ideas.v14i1.10645Keywords:
Innovation, Technology, Pedagogy, English Language, Vocational EducationAbstract
As vocational English emphasizes authentic workplace communication and digital literacy, this study examined integration of innovation technology and pedagogy in a vocational school. It investigated how vocational English teachers used technology innovation in the classroom, the opportunities it offered to help students become more proficient in the language, and the challenges encountered when putting it into practice. Fifteen English teachers of SMKN 2 Palembang, Indonesia, became the participants. A descriptive qualitative method was used as interviews, observations in the classroom, and documentation were conducted to gather data. The results of thematic analysis demonstrated how they incorporated interactive learning platforms, internet applications, and multimedia presentations into their lesson plans. Furthermore, it facilitated real-world, student-centered learning opportunities related to professional communication requirements and vocational contexts. There were still a number of issues, such as inadequate technology resources, inadequate training for teachers, erratic internet access, and disparities in students' digital competence. This study contributes to vocational English education by showing how innovative technology and pedagogy improve students' communication skills, learning engagement, and workplace preparedness while addressing the implementation challenges.
References
Astuti, F., Riviyanti, & Abbas, A. (2024). Utilizing digital technology to improve English language skills of the vocational students. Global Synthesis in Education Journal, 2(1), 45–56. https://doi.org/10.61667/kzvzsx05
Astuti, M., Arifin, Z., Nurtanto, M., & Mutohhari, F. (2022). The maturity levels of the digital technology competence in vocational education. International Journal of Evaluation and Research in Education, 11(2), 596–603. https://doi.org/10.11591/ijere.v11i2.22258
Delcker, J., & Ifenthaler, D. (2022). Digital distance learning and the transformation of vocational schools from a qualitative perspective. Frontiers in Education, 7, 908046. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2022.908046
Dewantara, K. A. K., Laksana, I. P. Y., & Saraswati, N. P. R. T. A. K. H. (2024). A systematic review of AI-powered tools in English language learning for vocational students. International Journal of Natural Science and Engineering, 8(3), 201–214. https://doi.org/10.23887/ijnse.v9i2.101889
Ginusti, G. N., Hidayah, Y., & Karnaen, I. A. (2025). Exploring the NETS-S in technology-enhanced project-based learning for vocational English learners. Jurnal Smart, 11(1), 82–95. https://doi.org/10.52657/js.v11i1.2688
Hafidh, Z., Zahra, N. F., & Ayyumna, T. N. (2026). Digital technology integration in vocational education. International Journal of Educational Resources, 6(5). https://doi.org/10.59689/incare.v6i5.1349
Han, S. (2026). A practical study on vocational English teaching based on the TPACK-SLA-AI integrated framework. Education Insights, 3(3), 256–263. https://doi.org/10.70088/j6pbth61
Haristiani, N., Dewanty, V. L., & Rifai, M. M. (2022). Autonomous learning through chatbot-based application utilization to enhance basic Japanese competence of vocational high school students. Journal of Technical Education and Training, 14(2), 143–155. https://doi.org/10.30880/jtet.2022.14.02.013
Jiang, L. (2024). Factors influencing EFL teachers’ implementation of SPOC-based blended learning in higher vocational colleges in China: A study based on grounded theory. Interactive Learning Environments, 32(3), 859–878. https://doi.org/10.1080/10494820.2022.2100428
Lessy, W., & Umarella, L. Q. (2024). A comparative study of technology integration in EFL classrooms in public and vocational high schools in Indonesia. Mars: Jurnal Teknik Mesin, Industri, Elektro dan Ilmu Komputer, 3(1), 94–104. https://doi.org/10.61132/mars.v3i1.581
Li, C. (2024). Problems and countermeasures of the integration of information technology and English curriculum in secondary vocational schools. Journal of Theory and Practice of Contemporary Education, 4(5). https://doi.org/10.53469/jtpce.2024.04(05).04
Liao, F., Murphy, D., Wu, J.-C., Chen, C.-Y., Chang, C.-C., & Tsai, P.-F. (2022). How technology-enhanced experiential e-learning can facilitate the development of person-centered communication skills online for health- care students: A qualitative study. BMC Medical Education, 22(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-022-03127
Lin, C., & Huang, Z. (2023). The construction of higher vocational English blended classroom based on Bloom’s taxonomy. Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research. https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-38476-128-9_14
Liu, I.-F. (2022). Gamified mobile learning: Effects on English learning in technical college students. Computer Assisted Language Learning, 37(5–6), 1397–1420. https://doi.org/10.1080/09588221.2022.2080717
Marzuki, A. G., Nur Aisiyiah, V. M., Erizar, E., Amalia, I., Huriyah, H., Triassanti, R., & Kencanawati, D. (2026). Investigating teachers’ pedagogical adaptations for effective technology integration in EFL classrooms. Al-Lisan: Jurnal Bahasa (e-Journal), 11(1), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.30603/al.v11i1.6828
Mustaqimah, M., Rafiqa, R., & Adisaturrahimi, A. (2025). Empowering ESP teacher with technology: Pedagogical innovations in vocational high schools. Indonesian EFL Journal: Journal of ELT, Linguistics, and Literature. https://doi.org/10.47759/22jxsv75
Nuryanti, N. (2025). ESP in the digital age: Mapping tools, platform, and pedagogical shifts in higher education. Elsya: Journal of English Language Studies, 7(2). https://doi.org/10.31849/elsya.v7i2.26395
Pambudi, H. A., & Kaliaskarova, A. (2023). The foundation of English learning to equip vocational students in higher education to face industrial era 4.0. Jurnal Pendidikan Teknologi dan Kejuruan, 29(2). https://doi.org/10.21831/jptk.v29i2.66994
Prasetyo, A. N., Nurhadi, K., & Larasaty, G. (2022). Perceptions of teachers and students on the adoption of smartphones in EFL learning in the vocational school context. Journal of English and Education, 8(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.20885/jee.v8i1.23211
Puspandari, L. E. (2023). Exploring pedagogical potentials of technology: Professional development for English teachers of vocational higher education. Journal of Applied Studies in Language, 7(1), 107–116. https://doi.org/10.31940/jasl.v7i1.107-116
Rahmiani, N., & Marwandi, M. (2022). Teaching English through a bilingual learning ecosystem in the secondary vocational school of industrial technology. Journal of Applied Studies in Language, 6(2), 167–178. https://doi.org/10.31940/jasl.v6i2.496
Rintaningrum, R. (2023). Technology integration in English language teaching and learning: Benefits and challenges. Cogent Education, 10(1), 2164690. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2022.2164690
Rosmayanti, V. (2025). Technology-enhanced English learning (TEEL) for dental technician students: Bridging language and technical skills. Voices of English Language Education Society, 9(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.29408/veles.v9i1.29027
Sahayu, W., Triyono, S., & Ungu, N. K. (2026). Digital technology in differentiated English language teaching: A systematic review with bibliometric insights. Indonesian Journal of Science and Technology, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.17509/ijost.v11i1.78901
Septiani, R. P., Nugraha, S. I., & Ambarwati, E. K. (2025). Exploring AI-driven language teaching for English as a foreign language teachers in vocational high school in Karawang. Journal of Educational Sciences, 9(4), 2073–2084. https://doi.org/10.31258/jes.9.4.p.2073-2084
Utami, R. S., & Samsudin, A. (2025). The technology integration into English teaching at a vocational school in Indonesia: Benefits and challenges to introducing the Global English paradigm. Journal of English in Academic and Professional Communication, 12(1), 14–29. https://doi.org/10.25047/jeapco.v12i1.6152
Wildeman, E., Koopman, M., & Beijaard, D. (2022). Fostering subject teachers’ integrated language teaching in technical vocational education: Results of a professional development program. Teaching and Teacher Education, 112, 103626. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2021.103626
Yi, Q. (2024). Research on project-based learning design for secondary vocational school English teaching from the perspective of STEAM. Journal of Education and Educational Research, 8(2), 125–132. https://doi.org/10.54097/sj885j78
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Beni Wijaya, Darmaliana Darmaliana, Zakaria, Sri Endah Kusmartini, Eli Yeny, Amalia Hayyu Alditria, Nafizsha Donna Rienvillia, Syavira Riski Eriyanto

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under an Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0) that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement 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 acknowledgement 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 (See the Effect of Open Access)
