Blended English for Vocational Learners: Mixed-Methods Evidence on Student Engagement and Reading Gains in a Batam High School
Keywords:
Blended learning, Student engagement, Reading comprehension, Vocational education, English language teachingAbstract
Blended learning, which combines traditional classroom instruction with online activities, is increasingly recognized as a powerful approach in English Language Teaching. Offering flexibility and promoting active engagement is promising for vocational education, where English reading comprehension is crucial for academic and career success. This study examined the impact of blended learning on student engagement and reading comprehension in a vocational high school in Batam, Indonesia. Adopting a sequential explanatory mixed-method design, the research involved 80 second-grade students selected through cluster sampling and divided into experimental and control groups. Quantitative data were collected through pre- and post-tests of reading comprehension and a 25-item engagement questionnaire. Qualitative data were obtained from semi-structured interviews with six students representing high, moderate, and low engagement levels to complement these findings. The results demonstrated that blended learning significantly improved reading comprehension, with the experimental group achieving higher post-test scores than the control group. The questionnaire indicated that students generally displayed moderate to high levels of engagement across behavioral, emotional, cognitive, technological, and satisfaction dimensions. However, interviews revealed variations, particularly in emotional and cognitive engagement, influenced by factors such as confidence, motivation, and preferences for instructional style. The study proves blended learning enhances engagement and reading comprehension in vocational ELT contexts. These findings highlight the importance of integrating digital tools with face-to-face instruction, offering valuable implications for teachers, schools, and policymakers seeking to better prepare students for the demands of the global workforce.
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