The Role of Tembang Dolanan in Javanese Language Learning in Primary Schools: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

Javanese language teaching in Indonesian primary schools is challenged by the decreasing use of local languages in families and schools, as well as the strong dominance of national and global popular culture. In this context, tembang dolanan, traditional Javanese children’s songs, hold considerable potential as a learning medium that is both engaging and rich in linguistic and cultural content. This article presents a systematic literature review on the role of tembang dolanan in Javanese language learning at the primary school level. The review adopts the PRISMA 2020 framework and draws on studies retrieved from Google Scholar, GARUDA, DOAJ, ERIC, and nationally indexed journal portals, using keywords related to tembang dolanan, Javanese language learning, and primary education. Selected articles were analysed in terms of research context, forms of tembang dolanan implementation, linguistic and cultural learning outcomes, and classroom challenges. The review indicates that tembang dolanan are generally used to enrich vocabulary, support pronunciation and oral fluency, enhance student engagement, and transmit character and cultural values associated with Javanese identity. The most promising results appear when tembang dolanan are embedded in multimodal instructional designs that combine singing, movement, games, and audiovisual media. However, the existing evidence base remains limited: few studies employ rigorous experimental or quasi-experimental designs or use instruments that explicitly measure Javanese language outcomes. The article concludes that tembang dolanan represent a strategic medium for strengthening both Javanese language learning and cultural preservation in primary schools, while highlighting the need for further research on the development and empirical testing of tembang dolanan-based teaching materials.