The Suggestopedia method developed by Georgi Lozanov in the 1970s is a language learning approach that emphasizes the use of positive suggestions, relaxation, and a supportive learning environment to optimize the brain’s capacity to absorb information. In the context of learning English in Indonesia, especially speaking skills in Junior High School (SMP), this method is relevant because many students still experience psychological obstacles in the form of fear of being wrong, anxiety speaking, and lack of confidence. This case study was carried out in one of the public junior high schools in the city of Bandung for one semester involving two classes VIII consisting of 64 students. The research aims to describe the implementation process of Suggestopedia, identify changes in students’ speaking abilities, and analyze the supporting and inhibiting factors that arise in the field. Data were collected through classroom observations, interviews with teachers and students, and assessments of speaking practice before and after treatment. Preliminary results show that a classroom environment transformed into more comfortable with soft lighting, classical instrumental music, and English-language motivational posters was able to significantly lower students’ anxiety levels. Thus, this research contributes to the development of more humanistic and effective teaching practices in Indonesian junior secondary education.Theoretically, Suggestopedia is based on the principle that psychological barriers or “anti-suggestive barriers” can be eliminated through a combination of direct and indirect suggestions. Lozanov divides the learning process into three main phases: decoding (presenting material), concert sessions (presentation with music), and activation (activation of knowledge through games and dialogues). In the context of speaking, the concert session phase is crucial because students listen to English dialogues or monologues while in a relaxed state, so that linguistic input enters long-term memory without pressure. Previous literature in various countries shows the success of this method in improving speaking fluency, but its application in Indonesia is still limited and rarely focused on the junior high school level. In Indonesia, the Independent Curriculum emphasizes student-centered learning and the development of communicative competencies, so that Suggestopedia can be a harmonized alternative. However, adaptation is necessary given the socio-culturally diverse characteristics of Indonesian students, as well as the limitations of facilities in many public schools. This case study fills this gap by presenting a real picture of the application of the method in junior high school speaking classes which have a relatively large number of students and limited time allocation.
The implementation of the case study is carried out through the stages of preparation, implementation, and evaluation. In the preparation stage, teachers are trained for two days on the basic principles of Suggestopedia, classroom management techniques, and the selection of music and speaking materials that are in accordance with the ability level of grade VIII students. The material used includes topics such as describing people, daily routines, and giving opinions that are tailored to the learning outcomes of the Independent Curriculum. The implementation lasted for 12 meetings, 80 minutes each. Each session begins with a short relaxation activity (breathing exercise) for five minutes, followed by a dialogue presentation by the teacher with expressive intonation while playing soft Indonesian baroque or classical music. Students were then asked to close their eyes and listen to a recording of the dialogue, followed by a paired role-play activity in a non-judgmental setting. The speaking assessment is carried out using rubrics that include fluency, accuracy, pronunciation, and confidence. Observations showed that at the third to fifth meetings, students began to show more active participation, while at the eighth to twelfth meetings, most students were able to produce longer and more spontaneous speeches.
The results of the study revealed a significant improvement in students’ speaking skills. The average pre-test speaking score of 62.4 increased to 78.9 in the post-test, with the confidence aspect experiencing the highest increase. Qualitative analysis of interviews showed that students felt more courageous to speak up because of the pleasant classroom atmosphere and no punishment for mistakes. Teachers also reported that the use of music and visual elements helped to retain students’ attention longer than conventional methods. However, several challenges have arisen, including difficulties in maintaining a consistent atmosphere of relaxation when classes are crowded, limited audio equipment in the classroom, and adaptation of students who are used to the teacher-centered approach. Factors that support success include teachers’ commitment to creating a positive classroom climate, the support of the principal in providing simple facilities, and students’ enthusiasm for activities involving movement and language games. These findings are in line with Lozanov’s theory that positive suggestions can accelerate language acquisition, while emphasizing the importance of contextualizing methods according to Indonesian school conditions.
Based on the findings of the case study, it can be concluded that the implementation of Suggestopedia in speaking learning in Indonesian junior high schools has a positive impact on students’ communicative skills and affective aspects. This method not only improves fluency and confidence in speaking, but also creates a more meaningful learning experience. Recommendations that can be given are the need for continuous training for English teachers on adaptive Suggestopedia techniques, the development of locally-based teaching materials that are integrated with Indonesian music and stories, as well as advanced research with experimental designs involving more schools and longer durations. Although there are limitations in generalization due to the nature of the case study, the results of this study provide empirical evidence that an approach that pays attention to the psychological aspects of students is worth considering in an effort to improve the quality of speaking learning at the junior secondary level. Thus, Suggestopedia can be one of the innovative strategies to support the achievement of communicative English language competencies among Indonesian adolescents.
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