Digital Literacy and Local Culture-Based Interactive Speaking Platform to Improve English Speaking Competence of Vocational High School Students at SMKN 10 and SMK TI YPML Tangerang City

Abstract

This study aims to develop and implement a digital literacy and local culture-based interactive speaking platform to improve the English-speaking competence of Vocational High School (SMK) students. The background of this research is based on the relatively low level of students' English-speaking ability, which is caused by limited interactive learning media, lack of communication practice, and the suboptimal use of digital technology in the learning process. This research was conducted at SMKN 10 Tangerang City and SMK TI YPML Tangerang City using a Research and Development approach. The research stages include needs analysis, platform design, product development, limited trials, and evaluation of the effectiveness of the platform in the learning process. The developed platform integrates interactive speaking practice features, digital literacy-based materials, and content that incorporates local cultural values as a communication context. The results of the study indicate that the use of the interactive speaking platform increases students’ participation in speaking practice, enriches their vocabulary, and enhances their confidence in communicating in English. Furthermore, the integration of digital literacy and local culture in learning provides a more contextual, engaging, and relevant learning experience for students. Therefore, this platform can serve as an innovative and effective alternative for English language learning to improve the speaking competence of vocational high school students in the digital era.