FOREIGN LANGUAGE ENJOYMENT AMONG JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AT MTS AL-FAJAR

This research aimed at exploring the level of Foreign Language Enjoyment (FLE) among Junior High School students at Islamic Junior High School of Al-Fajar and identifying the factors influencing their enjoyment in learning English. Qualitative approach was used in this research with case study design. Participants were the eighth-grade students at Islamic Junior High School of Al-Fajar in Pekanbaru. The data were collected through questionnaire and semi-structured interview. The questionnaire was adapted from Dewaele et al. (2019), and it consisted of ten items representing Private and Social FLE dimensions. Data were analyzed descriptively and supported with qualitative interpretations through interviews. The research findings indicated that the overall level of FLE among students was moderate (M = 3.18). In Private FLE dimension, students reported that learning English was enjoyable, meaningful, and motivating, although some lacked confidence and a sense of belonging. In Social FLE dimension, students enjoyed the positive classroom atmosphere, supportive peers, and humor during learning. Qualitative data showed that student enjoyment was influenced by internal factors (feeling successful in challenging tasks, new experience, and satisfaction in overcoming difficulties) and external factors (teacher support, classroom environment, peer involvement, and cooperation in group activities).