Exploration of The Whole Language Approach in Comprehensive Literacy Learning in SD/MI (A Systematic Literature Review)

Firna Nahwa Firdausi; Mohamad Zubad Nurul Yaqin; Bintoro Widodo

doi:10.55681/armada.v4i5.2263

Authors

Firna Nahwa Firdausi Maulana Malik Ibrahim State Islamic University, Indonesia
Mohamad Zubad Nurul Yaqin Maulana Malik Ibrahim State Islamic University, Indonesia
Bintoro Widodo Maulana Malik Ibrahim State Islamic University, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55681/armada.v4i5.2263

Keywords:

Whole language, Comprehensive literacy, Systematic literature review, SD/MI

Abstract

This study aims to explored the implementation of the whole language approach in comprehensive literacy learning in elementary school through the Systematic Literature Review (SLR) study. A total of 15 articles published in the 2021-2025 range were systematically analyzed using a selection protocol based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The results of the study show that the whole language approach makes a positive contribution to the four literacy skills simultaneously, including reading, writing, speaking, and listening, through key components such as shared reading, guided writing, group discussions, storytelling, and daily journal writing. This approach has also proven to be relevant to strengthening 21st century competencies that include critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity, as well as being in line with the principles of differentiated learning and strengthening the Pancasila Student Profile in the Independent Curriculum. Further research is recommended to explore the integration of digital and multimodal literacy within the framework of whole language to respond to the demands of the contemporary education ecosystem.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Aisyah, S., Usman, H., & Utami, N. C. M. (2024). Improving Reading Comprehension Skills Through a Whole Language Approach in Fifth Grade Elementary School Students. Journal for Lesson and Learning Studies, 7(1), 153–161. https://doi.org/10.23887/jlls.v7i1.73673

Aisyah, S., Yarmi, G., Sumantri, M. S., & Iasha, V. (2020). Kemampuan Membaca Permulaan Melalui Pendekatan Whole Language di Sekolah Dasar. Jurnal Basicedu, 4(3), 637–643. https://doi.org/10.31004/basicedu.v4i3.393

Andini, S. N., Sulianto, J., & Mudzanatun. (2023). Analisis Keterampilan Berbahasa Ekspresif Pada Kegiatan Literasi Dengan Pendekatan Whole Language Pada Peserta Didik Kelas 4 Sd N Sendangguwo 02 Semarang Semester Genap 2022/2023. Didaktik : Jurnal Ilmiah PGSD STKIP Subang, 9(3), 822–836. https://doi.org/10.36989/didaktik.v9i3.1354

Antica Krisnina Maharani, Mudzanatun, & Duwi Nuvitalia. (2023). Penerapan Pendekatan Whole Language Dalam Pembelajaran Bahasa Indonesia Komponen Reading Aloud Dengan Media Cerita Bergambar. JANACITTA, 6(2), 75–84. https://doi.org/10.35473/jnctt.v6i2.2610

Asyari, N., & Budi Prasetyo, K. (2025). Strategi Peningkatan Literasi Membaca Melalui Pendekatan Whole Language Pada Siswa Kelas IV Di UPT SD Negeri Sinar Mulyo. BADA’A: Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan Dasar, 7(1), 185–193. https://doi.org/10.37216/badaa.v7i1.2185

Asyari, N., & Prasetyo, K. B. (2025). Strategi Peningkatan Literasi Membaca Melalui Pendekatan Whole Language Pada Siswa Kelas IV Di UPT SD Negeri Sinar Mulyo. BADA’A: Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan Dasar, 7(1), 185–193. https://doi.org/10.37216/badaa.v7i1.2185

Brockman, B. (1994). Whole language: A Philosophy of Literacy Teaching for Adults, Too! Department of Education.

Brown, D. H. (2007). Principles of Language Learning and Teaching Fifth Edition. Pearson Education.

Cahyani, A. R. (2021). Fakultas Tarbiyah Dan Keguruan Universitas Islam Negri Raden Intan Lampung 1442 H/2021 M. Universitas Islam Negri Raden Intan Lampung.

Dharma, I. M. A., Sururuddin, M., Putrayasa, I. B., & Sudiana, I. N. (2023). Pendekatan Whole Language Dalam Pebelajaran Bahasa Indonesia Di Sekolah Dasar. Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan Citra Bakti, 10(1), 229–240. https://doi.org/10.38048/jipcb.v10i1.1176

Fitri, F., Haifaturrahmah, & Muhdar, S. (2025). A Peningkatan Kemampuan Literasi Membaca Siswa Sd Melalui Pendekatan Whole Language. Pendas : Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan Dasar, 10(04), 251–264. https://doi.org/10.23969/jp.v10i04.35802

Flurkey, A. D., & Meyer, R. J. (1994). Under The Whole Language Umbrella: Many Cultures Many Voices. National Council of Teachers of English, Urbana.

Gaffar, M. A., Gumelar, W. S., & Syafitri, N. N. (2025). Effectiveness of guided writing in responding simple questions in daily life at 4th grade elementary students. Journal of Research in Instructional, 5(2), 525–539. https://doi.org/10.30862/jri.v5i2.699

Goodman, K., & Goodman, Y. (1981). A Whole-Language, Comprehension Centered Reading Program (1st ed.). University of Arizona.

Goodman, K. S. (1997). Whole Language: The Whole Story. In L. Van Lier & D. Corson (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Language and Education: Knowledge About Language (pp. 87–97). Springer Netherlands. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-4533-6_9

Haerunnisa, H. (2024). Meningkatkan Reading Comprehension Skills Melalui Pendekatan Whole Language Pada Siswa Menengah Pertama. Bima Journal of Elementary Education, 2(1), 29–34. https://doi.org/10.37630/bijee.v2i1.1527

Hartati -, Hendriani, A., & Syarifudin, T. (2019). Penerapan Pendekatan Whole Language Untuk Meningkatkan Kemampuan Menulis Siswa Kelas V Sekolah Dasar. Jurnal Pendidikan Guru Sekolah Dasar, 4(1), 245–255. https://doi.org/10.17509/jpgsd.v4i1.20664

Lecturer at University of business and science, Uzbekistan, & Qilichovna, K. R. (2025). Integrated Skills Approach in English Teaching. American Journal of Philological Sciences, 5(6), 100–105. https://doi.org/10.37547/ajps/Volume05Issue06-28

Lenhart, J., Suggate, S. P., & Lenhard, W. (2022). Shared-Reading Onset and Emergent Literacy Development. Early Education and Development, 33(4), 589–607. https://doi.org/10.1080/10409289.2021.1915651

Lestari, D. T. (2025). Pendekatan whole language dalam pembelajaran multiliterasi untuk meningkatkan keterampilan berbahasa lisan dan berpikir kreatif siswa sekolah dasar [Masters, Universitas Negeri Malang]. https://repository.um.ac.id/391449/

Maya, M., Rif’an, M., D.A, S., Hadi, R., Gultom, I., & Ikhlas, M. (2025). Fleksibilitas Dan Tantangan Implementasi Kurikulum Merdeka Dalam Pembelajaran Bahasa Indonesia di SDN 060877 Medan. Jurnal Nakula : Pusat Ilmu Pendidikan, Bahasa Dan Ilmu Sosial, 3, 208–216. https://doi.org/10.61132/nakula.v3i2.1673

Meliana, D. (2025). Pengaruh Literasi Dan Lingkungan Keluarga Terhadap Berpikir Kritis Siswa/Mahasiswa. Jurnal Ilmu Komunikasi Dan Sosial Politik, 2, 572–578. https://doi.org/10.62379/jiksp.v2i3.2117

Muzaki, F. I. (2023). A Conceptual Review of Learning Resources on Whole Language Teaching in Elementary Schools. Journal of Learning and Educational Policy, (33), 26–36. https://doi.org/10.55529/jlep.33.26.36

Ocktaviani, C. N., Anjami, D. P., Adrias, A., & Suciana, F. (2025). Efektivitas Penugasan Jurnal Harian Siswa dalam Meningkatkan Kualitas Keterampilan Menulis Siswa Sekolah Dasar. Jurnal Pendidikan, Bahasa Dan Budaya, 4(1), 172–180. https://doi.org/10.55606/jpbb.v4i1.5660

OECD. (2019). PISA 2018 Assessment and Analytical Framework. OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/b25efab8-en

Page, M. J., Moher, D., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., Shamseer, L., Tetzlaff, J. M., Akl, E. A., Brennan, S. E., Chou, R., Glanville, J., Grimshaw, J. M., Hróbjartsson, A., Lalu, M. M., Li, T., Loder, E. W., Mayo-Wilson, E., McDonald, S., … McKenzie, J. E. (2021). PRISMA 2020 explanation and elaboration: Updated guidance and exemplars for reporting systematic reviews. The BMJ, 372, n160. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n160

Parapat, I. K., Mardianto, M., & Nasution, M. I. P. (2023). Mengoptimalkan Pengenalan Literasi Pada Anak Sejak Usia Dini: Menumbuhkan Keterampilan Membaca dan Menulis. Jurnal Raudhah, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.30829/raudhah.v11i1.2818

Patzelt, K. E. (1995). Principles of Whole Langage and Implications for ESL Learners. US Deapartment of Education.

Prastyo, H., Dlofir, M. A., Agustiana, A., Khaula, T. N., & Muawanah, A. (2025). Keefektifan Pendekatan Pembelajaran Whole Language terhadap Kemampuan Membaca pada Peserta Didik Kelas 3 MIN 3 Mojokerto. Al Kayyis, 8(1), 12–19. https://doi.org/10.47759/80tt1443

Qarshiyeva, M. (2024). Introduction to Language Skills: Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing. Journal Of Science-Innovative Research In Uzbekistan, 2(6), 708–711. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.12720352

Rahayu Kuswardani, Muhaimin Abdullah, Rizky Ramadhan, Abida, F. I. N., & Iye, R. (2025). Functional Pragmatic Analysis in Building Students’ Contextual Understanding of Literary Works. Journal of Pragmatics Research, 6(2), 277–292. https://doi.org/10.18326/jopr.v6i2.277-292

Rahman, N., Prestiana, N. D. I., & Ramadhan, M. F. A. (2025). Pengembangan Empati Anak Sekolah Dasar Melalui Cerita Bermakna (Storytelling). An-Nizam, 4(3), 300–309. https://doi.org/10.33558/an-nizam.v4i3.11818

Rethlefsen, M. L., Kirtley, S., Waffenschmidt, S., Ayala, A. P., Moher, D., Page, M. J., Koffel, J. B., & PRISMA-S Group. (2021). PRISMA-S: An extension to the PRISMA statement for reporting literature searches in systematic reviews. Journal of the Medical Library Association: JMLA, 109(2), 174–200. https://doi.org/10.5195/jmla.2021.962

Rintaningrum, R., Fahmi, A., Nuswantara, K., Trisyanti, U., Yusuf, K., & Zahrok, S. (2023). Strengthening English Language Learning Through an Independent Curriculum Approach. International Journal of Science and Society, 5(5), 161–171. https://doi.org/10.54783/ijsoc.v5i5.875

Rozan Taqi Junatama, Muhammad Zakry Ramadhan, & Gusmaneli Gusmaneli. (2025). Peran Guru dalam Mengembangkan Strategi Pembelajaran Adaptif pada Pendidikan Islam di Era Merdeka Belajar. Hidayah : Cendekia Pendidikan Islam Dan Hukum Syariah, 2(1), 23–35. https://doi.org/10.61132/hidayah.v2i1.794

Safira, A., Firmansah, D., & Afriyadi, M. M. (2025). Systematic Literature Review: Application of Whole Language Approach to Improve Indonesian Language Learning Outcomes of Elementary School Students. Indo-MathEdu Intellectuals Journal, 6(3), 3084–3100. https://doi.org/10.54373/imeij.v6i3.3042

Saidova, Z. (2024). The Main Peculiarities Of The Integrated Approach And The Role Of Teachers In Implementation. International Scientific Journal Of Media And Communications In Central Asia. https://doi.org/10.62499/ijmcc.vi6.60

Saripah, A., Hidayat, A. N., & Martini, R. (2025). Pendekatan Whole Language Untuk Meningkatkan Kemampuan Membaca Pemahaman Siswa Kelas V Di Sd Negeri Cinangsi Kabupaten Cianjur. Jurnal Tahsinia, 6(6), 865–880. https://doi.org/10.57171/jt.v6i6.240

Schunk, D. H. (2012). Learning theories: An educational perspective (6th ed). Pearson.

Sukmayasa, I. M. H., & Sudiana, I. N. (2023). The effect of the whole language approach on learning motivation and productive communication skills of students. Advances in Mobile Learning Educational Research, 3(1), 596–601. https://doi.org/10.25082/AMLER.2023.01.008

Suparman, S. (2024). Improving The Students’ Ability in Understanding Reading Text by Using Small Group Discussion at Assalam Islamic Boarding School. JUPE : Jurnal Pendidikan Mandala, 9(4), 934. https://doi.org/10.58258/jupe.v9i4.7727

Suparya, I. K. (2021). Penerapan Pendekatan Whole Language dalam Pengembangan Kemampuan Berbahasa Indonesia Siswa Sekolah Dasar. Wacana Akademika: Majalah Ilmiah Kependidikan, 5(2), 121–129.

Syahputri, D. R., & Arianti, L. (2024). A Whole Language Approach to Improving Reading Skills in Low Class Primary Students. Journal of General Education Science, 93–98. https://doi.org/10.62966/joges.vi.502

Tafesh, T. (2005). The Whole Language Approach. Department of Art and Sciences Lebanese American University.

Utari, W. (2021). Program Studi Pendidikan Guru Sekolah Dasar Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia Kampus Purwakarta 202.

Van Kleeck, A. (2006). Sharing books and stories to foster language and literacy.

Yuliarsih, Y. (2025). Developing Critical Reading Through Textual Analysis To Promote Democratic Discourse: A Study On English Education Students. Educational : Jurnal Inovasi Pendidikan & Pengajaran, 5(2), 583–593. https://doi.org/10.51878/educational.v5i2.6422

Yusuf, M., Priyono, P., & Hayati, P. W. N. (2023). The Effect Of Whole Language Approach On The Improvement Of Early Reading Ability Of Grade IV Students With Intellectual Disabilities At SLB Negeri Sukharjo In The Academic Year 2022/2023. Journal of Disability, 3(1), 7. https://doi.org/10.20961/jod.v3i1.75545

Zuhra, J. (2024). The Role Of Creative Writing In Developing Academic Writing Skills. American Journal of Philological Sciences, 4(11), 90–100. https://doi.org/10.37547/ajps/Volume04Issue11-17