Socio-Cultural Influences on the English-Speaking Patterns of Acehnese EFL Learners

This study explores how Acehnese socio-cultural norms and values are manifested in the English speaking patterns of Acehnese EFL learners, drawing on Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory. Using a qualitative case study, six English Education students at UIN Ar-Raniry Banda Aceh were selected through purposive and snowball sampling and participated in semi-structured interviews. The findings revealed that Acehnese socio-cultural norms and values were manifested through respect for authority, indirectness, careful word choice, interpersonal harmony, and appropriate turn-taking and silence. These influences were reflected in three prominent English speaking patterns: politeness, carefulness, and adaptability. The findings indicate that learners’ English speaking was shaped not only by linguistic competence but also by socio-cultural values and pragmatic awareness. The study implies that English lecturers should consider learners’ cultural backgrounds when developing speaking activities and support both linguistic and pragmatic competence.