USING ISLAMIC TOPICS TO IMPROVE ENGLISH SPEAKING FLUENCY

Abstract

English speaking fluency remains a persistent challenge for learners in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) contexts, particularly in educational settings where English is not used for daily communication. One pedagogical approach that has gained increasing attention is the integration of culturally and religiously familiar content into language instruction. This study investigates the effectiveness of using Islamic topics as instructional content to improve English speaking fluency among EFL learners. Employing a mixed-methods design, the study involved 60 undergraduate students enrolled in an Islamic studies program. Quantitative data were collected through pre- and post-speaking fluency tests, while qualitative data were obtained from classroom observations and semi-structured interviews. The findings reveal a significant improvement in learners’ speaking fluency, confidence, and participation after the integration of Islamic-themed materials. The qualitative results further indicate that familiarity with Islamic content reduced learners’ anxiety and increased their motivation to speak English. The study concludes that integrating Islamic topics into English speaking instruction provides a meaningful, culturally responsive, and pedagogically effective approach to enhancing speaking fluency in EFL contexts.