Reframing English Language Teaching in Indonesia: A Cultural -Technological Response to Suggestopedia’s Shortcomings

Abstract

This study criticizes Suggestopedia, a once-innovative method in English Language Teaching (ELT), for its Eurocentric content, rigid procedures, and lack of contextual relevance for Indonesian learners. Drawing from recent scholarship, it proposes a cultural-technological alternative that integrates local traditions and digital tools into the curriculum. This approach aligns with Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy and Indonesia’s Kurikulum Merdeka, encouraging learners to express their identities while acquiring global competencies. Through digital storytelling, project-based learning, and culturally rooted content, English becomes a tool for meaningful communication rather than cultural displacement. The study employs a qualitative literature review method to synthesize theoretical and empirical insights, aiming to guide future ELT practices in multicultural, post-method contexts.