‘Saya ini original Sabahan’: Applying a contextual approach in teaching English to promote EFL learners’ engagement

The purpose of this action research is to describe the processes involved in applying a contextual approach in teaching English as a Foreign Language (EFL) using Sabahan songs to Year 6 learners in Sabah, Malaysia, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The action plan, enhanced by the input of critical friends, consisted of four steps, namely: i) choosing a favourite Sabahan song, ii) translating the song’s lyrics, iii) correcting the translated lyrics, and iv) practising and performing the song. Data were collected using a multimodal approach, including video-based observations, teaching artefacts, and learners’ written work. The data were analysed narratively to describe the journey undergone by my learners and I, as the English teacher, during the action plan. Throughout the study, it was observed that my learners’ participation level had increased, and my English lessons had become more engaging. I learned how to plan, implement, and evaluate a contextual pedagogy approach to teaching and learning English, ensuring that it was aligned with the curriculum under the new norms of the pandemic era. This study highlights the value of integrating a culturally contextual pedagogical approach into the education system, describing how it can contribute directly to quality education, reduce inequalities and develop partnerships.