DEVELOPING MANDAILING CULTURE-BASED MODEL FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNING WITH INTERACTIVE MULTIMEDIA AT MAN MANDAILING NATAL

This study aims to develop the Mandailing Culture-Based English Language Learning (MCBELL) model, a culturally responsive instructional teaching designed to address the lack of contextual relevance, learner engagement, and value integration in English language instruction at Madrasah Aliyah Negeri (MAN) Mandailing Natal. Many rural Indonesian students struggle with English reading comprehension due to the absence of culturally grounded learning materials. Adopting a Research and Development (R&D) framework based on Borg and Gall’s model, the study proceeded through the stages of needs analysis, model design, expert validation, practicality testing, and effectiveness evaluation using a quasi-experimental design. Data were collected through both qualitative and quantitative instruments, including expert validation sheets, questionnaires, classroom observations, and pretest-posttest assessments. The MCBELL model comprises five components learning syntax, social system, reaction principles, support system, and instructional system embedded in six structured learning phases integrating Mandailing cultural elements and Islamic values. Expert evaluations demonstrated high content validity (mean = 3.95) and construct validity (mean = 3.93) on a 4-point scale. Practicality testing with teachers and students yielded a mean score of 4.15, indicating strong applicability. Effectiveness testing revealed statistically significant improvements in students’ reading comprehension (p < 0.05). The findings confirm that the MCBELL model is valid, practical, and effective in improving language skills while reinforcing cultural identity and spiritual values. Theoretically, the study advances culturally responsive pedagogy; practically, it offers a replicable instructional model for diverse, multilingual, and rural education contexts