NEGOTIATING ENGLISH ABILITY BELIEFS IN THE ELF CONTEXT: A CASE STUDY OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS' EXPERIENCES IN INDONESIA

Abstract

This study explores ability beliefs among international students in speaking English as a Lingua Franca (ELF) in Indonesia. While many studies focus on Inner Circle contexts, less attention has been given to English use and learner experiences in non-native, multilingual settings. Therefore, this research aims to investigate how students negotiate their beliefs in speaking English, particularly in academic and social settings in Indonesia. Using a qualitative design, the researchers employed a case study with in-depth interviews and reflective journals to collect the data. The participants were seven international students from different countries who were studying at Sanata Dharma University, Yogyakarta. The results of this study showed a significant shift in the participants' perspective in redefining English proficiency from grammatical perfection to communicative effectiveness. Furthermore,  students changed from deficit learners to legitimate users of English. This research concluded that the ELF environment in Indonesia fosters a growth mindset that allows students to claim ownership of English as a global tool for communication.