Students’ Perception of The Effect of Humor on Their Engagement and Memory Retention in Learning English at MAN 1 Majene

Abstract

ABSTRACT Name : Ummu Athiyah Reg. Number : 10256120015 Title : Students’ Perception of The Effect of Humor on Their Engagement and Memory Retention in Learning English at MAN 1 Majene

Some students tend to lose motivation when they dislike a teacher‟s teaching style, leading to absence and low participation. In contrast, English lessons at MAN 1 Majene that integrated humor encouraged consistent attendance and active learning. This study aimed to explore students‟ perceptions of the effect of humor on their engagement and memory retention in learning English. This study used a descriptive qualitative method, data were gathered through interviews with ten purposively selected students from class XI Tahfidz 1 who had experienced humor based instruction. The findings revealed that most of the students felt that humor created a comfortable and relaxed classroom atmosphere that encouraged active participation. Many noted that it increased their enthusiasm for learning and reduced stress, while some expressed that it boosted their confidence and focus. Regarding memory retention, students perceived that humor supported their understanding of the material and helped them recall vocabulary and concepts more easily through humorous activities like games and role plays. Overall, students viewed humor as an effective teaching strategy that enhanced their motivation, participation, and comprehension. Therefore, integrating humor into English lessons can be a meaningful approach to foster engagement and improve learning outcomes Keywords: Students’ perception, humor, students’ engagement, students’ memory retention, learning English.