Students’ Perceptions of Ice-Breaking Games for Motivation in English Learning at SMP 2 Ampana Tete

Fadhil Irsyad, Aminah Suriaman, Maghfira Maghfira

Abstract


Motivation plays an important role in supporting students’ engagement and participation in English learning, particularly at the junior high school level. However, previous studies have mainly focused on ice-breaking activities among senior high school and university students, leaving limited attention to junior high school students’ perceptions in relation to motivation. This study aimed to investigate students’ perceptions of ice-breaking games in English learning in terms of motivation at SMP 2 Ampana Tete. This study employed a quantitative survey design involving 100 students selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using a close-ended questionnaire and supported by structured observation, then analyzed using descriptive statistics through percentages and mean scores. The findings showed that students had positive perceptions of ice-breaking games, particularly in terms of interest, confidence, enjoyment, attention, and willingness to participate. The observation findings supported these results. It can be concluded that ice-breaking games contributed positively to students’ motivation and created a more engaging English learning environment.

Keywords


Students’ Perceptions; Ice-Breaking Games; Motivation; English Learning, Junior High School.

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.31004/jele.v11i5.3283

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