Student’s Perception on Implementation of Telephone Game as Icebreaker in English Learning at MTs Muslimat NU Palangka Raya
Abstract
Low levels of students' engagement in English class are one of the challenges for teachers in English learning. The objective in this study is Exploring students’ perception of the telephone game as an icebreaker activity for English language learning at MTs Muslimat NU Palangka Raya. A quantitative descriptive method was used with data collected through a Likert-scale questionnaire distributed to 32 seventh-grade students who had already played the game in the English classroom. The questionnaire focused on four areas of the game, such as enjoyment, speaking confidence, pronunciation learning, and classroom atmosphere, as well as three items related to the game limitations. Data were analyzed and given as percentages to classify student perception. Despite this limitation, the findings suggest that the Telephone Game is useful in English learning. As a result, the telephone game in English learning class as alternate teaching approach to increase student engagement and reduce boredom in the English classroom. Therefore, the telephone game is recommended for English teachers to use in English learning classes.
References
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Arikunto, S. (2013). Dasar-Dasar Evaluasi Pendidikan. Bumi Aksara .
Asrida, E., Syafitri, W., Sakti, G., & Dewi, M. P. (2024). The Correlation Between Students’ Vocabulary Mastery And Their Listening Ability. Elp (Journal Of English Language Pedagogy), 9(1), 66–75. Https://Doi.Org/10.36665/Elp.V9i1.870
Creswell, J. W. ., & Creswell, J. David. (2018). Research Design : Qualitative, Quantitative, And Mixed Methods Approaches. Sage Publications, Inc.
Dai, Y., & Wu, Z. (2022). Mobile-Assisted Peer Feedback On Efl Pronunciation: Outcome Effects, Interactional Processes, And Shaping Factors. System, 111, 102953. Https://Doi.Org/10.1016/J.System.2022.102953
Daulay, S. H., Dalimunte, M., & Nursyahdiyah, N. (2021). Using Whispering Game In Efl Learners. English Journal Of Indragiri, 5(2), 205–216. Https://Doi.Org/10.32520/Eji.V5i2.1493
Ewis Febriani, Sudarkam R. Mertosono, Desrin Lebagi, & Mukrim, M. (2024). Applying Whispering Game In Developing Listening Comprehension Of Grade Eleven Students Of Sman 7 Palu. Jurnal Onoma: Pendidikan, Bahasa, Dan Sastra, 10(3), 3248–3253. Https://Doi.Org/10.30605/Onoma.V10i3.4004
Frühholz, S., Trost, W., & Grandjean, D. (2016). Whispering - The Hidden Side Of Auditory Communication. Neuroimage, 142, 602–612. Https://Doi.Org/10.1016/J.Neuroimage.2016.08.023
Gunawan, I. D. (2025). The Implementation Of Game-Based Learning To Enhance Students’ Speaking Skills In Indonesian Efl Classrooms. Joey: Journal Of English Ibrahimy, 4(2), 15–27. Https://Doi.Org/10.35316/Joey.2025.V4i2.15-27
Hamuddin, B., Priambada, J. S., Indarwati, I., Sakka, W., & Anugrah, Muh. R. (2024). Engage, Play, Learn: A Systematic Literature Review On The Impact Of Gamification On Young Learners’ English Skills. Utamax : Journal Of Ultimate Research And Trends In Education, 6(3), 232–243. Https://Doi.Org/10.31849/Utamax.V6i3.19500
Kleinschmit, A. J., Sparks-Thissen, R. L., & Pandey, S. (2025). A Group-Forming Course Content-Focused Icebreaker For Life Science Classrooms. Journal Of Microbiology & Biology Education, 26(1). Https://Doi.Org/10.1128/Jmbe.00173-24
Kusmaryono, I., Wijayanti, D., & Maharani, H. R. (2022). Number Of Response Options, Reliability, Validity, And Potential Bias In The Use Of The Likert Scale Education And Social Science Research: A Literature Review. International Journal Of Educational Methodology, 8(4), 625–637. Https://Doi.Org/10.12973/Ijem.8.4.625
Lamrani, R., & Abdelwahed, E. (2020). Game-Based Learning And Gamification To Improve Skills In Early Years Education. Computer Science And Information Systems, 17(1), 339–356. Https://Doi.Org/10.2298/Csis190511043l
Lestari, V. V. (2025). A Study On The Implementation Of Word Chain Game In Teaching Vocabulary Mastery. Journal On Interdisciplinary Studies In Humanities, 8, 2025. Https://Doi.Org/10.34050/Elsjish.V8i4.45507
Maharani, L., Elanneri Karani, & Tutik Haryani. (2025). Exploring Efl Students Of Game Based Activities In Enhancing Their Receptive Skills. Jades Journal Of Academia In English Education, 6(2), 324–335. Https://Doi.Org/10.32505/Jades.V6i2.12881
Nam, J. (2010). Linking Research And Practice: Effective Strategies For Teaching Vocabulary In The Esl Classroom. Tesl Canada Journal, 28(1), 127. Https://Doi.Org/10.18806/Tesl.V28i1.1064
Nugraha, M. Y., Oktarina, L. Z., Haqi, M. F. A., Nikma, F., & Rahmi, Y. (2025). The Impact Of The Ice Breaking Method On Improving Student Engagement: An Experimental Study. Kne Social Sciences, 10(25), 353–364. Https://Doi.Org/10.18502/Kss.V10i25.19914
Pambudi, R., Faliyanti, E., & Siagiyanto, B. E. (2024). The Effect Of Taboo Game On English Speaking Ability Of Zen Students. Premise: Journal Of English Education, 13(3), 1045. Https://Doi.Org/10.24127/Pj.V13i3.10922
Patton, M. Q. (2015). Sampling, Qualitative (Purposeful). In The Blackwell Encyclopedia Of Sociology. Wiley. Https://Doi.Org/10.1002/9781405165518.Wbeoss012.Pub2
Pisa 2022 Results (Volume I). (2023). Oecd Publishing. Https://Doi.Org/10.1787/53f23881-En
Sasan, J. M. V, Tugbong, G. M., & Alistre, K. L. C. (2023). An Exploration Of Icebreakers And Their Impact On Student Engagement In The Classroom. International Journal Of Social Service And Research, 3(11), 2921–2930. Https://Doi.Org/10.46799/Ijssr.V3i11.566
Shimray, R., & Wangdi, T. (2023). Boredom In Online Foreign Language Classrooms: Antecedents And Solutions From Students’ Perspective. Journal Of Multilingual And Multicultural Development, 1–16. Https://Doi.Org/10.1080/01434632.2023.2178442
Suryadi, S. (2022). The Impact Of Chinese Whisper Game And Vocabulary Mastery On Students’ Speaking Skill. Jurnal Visi Ilmu Pendidikan, 14(2), 137. Https://Doi.Org/10.26418/Jvip.V14i2.54833
Tamrin, N. A., Syatriana, E., Natsir, R. Y., & Muhammadiyah Makassar, U. (2021). Students’ Perception Toward Online Learning In Google Classroom. Jurnal Keguruan Dan Ilmu Pendidikan (Jkip) Fkip Unismuh Makassar, 8(2).
Utami, P., & Rahmawati, I. N. (2018). Chinese Whisper Game As One Alternative Technique To Teach Speaking. English Education: Jurnal Tadris Bahasa Inggris, 11(2), 99–112. Https://Doi.Org/10.24042/Ee-Jtbi.V11i2.3489
Valverde-Zavaleta, S. A., Mellin Rubio, R. H., Rafael Sánchez, A. E., Gonzales Loli, M., & Reynosa Navarro, E. (2021). Pedagogy Of Success: Perception In Undergraduate And Postgraduate Students At A Peruvian University. F1000research, 10, 1160. Https://Doi.Org/10.12688/F1000research.55310.1
Xuan Mai, L., Ngoc, L. K., & Thao, L. T. (2024). Factors Hindering Student Participation In English-Speaking Classes: Student And Lecturer Perceptions. Sage Open, 14(3). Https://Doi.Org/10.1177/21582440241266297
Ye, X. (2024). A Review Of Classroom Environment On Student Engagement In English As A Foreign Language Learning. Frontiers In Education, 9. Https://Doi.Org/10.3389/Feduc.2024.1415829
Yulistiyani, S. S., Kurniawan, E. A., Zahiroh, V., & Pujiani, T. (2025). Game-Based Learning As An Interactive Learning Media In English Classroom. Wiralodra English Journal, 9(2), 152–165. Https://Doi.Org/10.31943/Wej.V9i2.360
Authors
Tirtayasa, T., Meka, L. M. C., Fikri, M. S., Syeba, S., & Rinaldo, W. R. (2026). Student’s Perception on Implementation of Telephone Game as Icebreaker in English Learning at MTs Muslimat NU Palangka Raya. Interling : International Journal of English Language Teaching, Literature and Linguistics, 4(1), 21–29. https://doi.org/10.55210/interling.v4i1.2598
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