English Language Learning in Language Academic Preparation Program (LAPP): an Autoethnography

This autoethnographic study explores the lived experiences of learning English for Academic Purposes (EAP) within the Language Academic Preparation Program (LAPP), a central component of the Program Persiapan Studi Lanjut (PPSL) at UIN Sultan Syarif Kasim Riau. Drawing from personal reflections and research journals, the study investigates how culturally responsive pedagogy, local wisdom, and immersive experiences contribute to academic language development. Through participation in activities such as traditional ceremonies, local arts performances, culinary experiences, and educational field visits, the program contextualized English learning in meaningful ways that enhanced learner engagement and cultural identity. The findings highlight that EAP instruction becomes more effective and transformative when it integrates local cultural content and authentic learning contexts. This research demonstrates that autoethnography is a powerful tool for capturing the emotional, intellectual, and pedagogical dimensions of language education, while also advocating for a model of EAP that is both academically rigorous and culturally grounded.