Developing Local Genius-based English E-Module for Vocational High School Students in Jambi City

Abstract

This study aims to develop a local genius-based English e-module for vocational high school
students majoring in hospitality at SMK Negeri 1 Jambi City. The development of this e
module was motivated by the need to provide contextual and culturally relevant English
learning materials that align with the Merdeka Curriculum principles. The e-module integrates
Jambi’s local wisdom, such as tourism destinations, traditional cuisine, and cultural heritage
into language learning tasks designed for hospitality contexts. This research employed the
Research and Development (R&D) method adapted from Borg and Gall (1983), involving six
stages: needs analysis, design, development, expert validation, revision, and try-out. Data
were collected through questionnaires, interviews, and validation sheets. The e-module
underwent validation by material and media experts and was tested with a group of Grade 10
hospitality students. The results showed that the developed e-module achieved a “Very Good”
level of feasibility in terms of content, design, and practicality. Students reported higher
motivation and engagement when learning English through local contexts. The findings
indicate that integrating local genius into English learning supports students’ communication
skills and cultural awareness, while making learning more meaningful and enjoyable.