Optimizing ICT Integration for English Learning in Indonesian Islamic Boarding Schools

In the evolving landscape of digital education, the integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into pedagogical practices has become essential, particularly in non formal educational settings such as Islamic boarding school (Pesantren) in Indonesia. Despite the increasing emphasis on digital literacy, limited research has explored the optimization of ICT within sociocultural pedagogical frameworks for English language learning in Islamic boarding school contexts. This study aims to examine the implementation and impact of ICT tools in supporting a sociocultural approach to English instruction at Islamic boarding school Nurul Amanah, Bangkalan. Employing a descriptive qualitative method, data were collected through semi structured interviews with English teachers, classroom observations, and documentation of ICT usage. The findings reveal that digital media such as PowerPoint presentations, educational videos, Google Forms, and social media platforms like TikTok are integrated to enhance student engagement, intelligibility, and participation in English language learning. Additionally, the use of a language laboratory with internet access supports students’ independent exploration and project based learning. The study concludes that the strategic application of ICT significantly enriches the sociocultural teaching approach by fostering contextual understanding, learner motivation, and active participation. However, infrastructural limitations and restricted access to personal devices present ongoing challenges. This research contributes to the discourse on context sensitive digital pedagogy and highlights the need for further development of ICT-supported frameworks tailored to faith based and culturally embedded learning environments. Future research is encouraged to explore scalable ICT integration models that address infrastructure gaps and expand digital access across similar educational institutions in developing regions.