Arif Nugroho, Ira Mutiaraningrum, Fitriya Dessi Wulandari, Antonius Setyawan Sugeng Nur Agung, Pipit Muliyah, Fitria Wulan Sari, Monika Widyastuti Surtikanti
Previous studies have shown that learning techniques for communicative competence are insufficient to enhance achievement, especially in teacher-centered classrooms. This study examined the impact of the WhatsApp-Integrated Student Team Achievement Division (STAD) on promoting students’ English communicative competence. This study employed a sequential explanatory design. The pre- and post-tests were administered to Indonesian EFL learners who were randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups as part of the 10-week treatment. The experimental group (N = 32) used materials for developing English communicative competence in STAD instruction combined with the WhatsApp application, whereas the control group (N = 32) enrolled in a similar class and received the same materials through traditional face-to-face interactions. Discourse Completion Tests (DCTs) were used to assess the students’ communicative competence. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the experimental group to unearth their perceptions of the WhatsApp-integrated STAD learning. The results of the ANCOVA revealed that students in the experimental group outperformed those in the control group. An analysis of the semi-structured interviews indicated that the students had a positive attitude toward the implementation of WhatsApp-integrated STAD in teaching English communicative competence. The results highlight the need to recognize the potential of technology that students use the most to enhance language learners’ communicative competence. © 2025 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
Department of Language Education Science, Faculty of Languages, Arts, and Culture, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Indonesia; Tourism Department, Politeknik Negeri Sambas, Indonesia; English Language Education, Universitas Katolik Santo Agustinus Hippo, Indonesia; English Language Education, Universitas Islam Negeri Raden Mas Said Surakarta, Indonesia
