The impact of the Nusantara Indigenous Folktales Framework in ESL learning

Folktales are an essential part of a community's cultural heritage. They contain unique narratives, beliefs, customs, and practices that have been passed down through generations, reflecting the identity and values of a particular indigenous group. Many indigenous communities possess traditional ecological knowledge, medicinal practices, and survival skills. Folktales often contain elements of this knowledge and preserving them can contribute to the protection and sustainability of this valuable information. Most importantly, folktales serve as educational tools that impart moral lessons, cultural norms, and wisdom. They are engaging for both children and adults, making them valuable resources for educational purposes, language acquisition, and character development. As per UNESCO, the preservation of intangible heritage such as folktales can be achieved through global cooperation among nations. Corresponding to this notion, a joint initiative involving language specialists from Universiti Teknologi MARA Kedah in Malaysia and Universitas Merdeka Malang in Indonesia has successfully culminated in the creation of the Nusantara Indigenous Folktales Framework which was developed through a collaborative global effort with Universitas Merdeka Malang Indonesia, This innovative framework brings together two unique aboriginal tribes which are the Semai tribe from Malaysia and The Tengger tribe from Mount Bromo Indonesia. The Framework employs a unified Edu-Tale approach to preserve intangible heritage through formal education. The significance of implementing the Nusantara Indigenous Folktales Framework (NIFF), emphasizes that educational materials produced through this framework would be beneficial for all learners. It also aims to encourage respect for intangible cultural heritage within communities and among individuals as well as to promote awareness of the importance of safeguarding the intangible heritage. A questionnaire was distributed to 47 students who participated in the Nusantara project. The feedback received from ESL learners was very positive. The students enjoyed activities with the Nusantara folktales, and they have successfully impacted overall motivation to learn English.