EMBRACING DIGITAL STORYTELLING IN LANGUAGE EDUCATION: ENHANCING CREATIVE EXPRESSION AND CULTURAL LITERACY IN THE EFL CLASSROOM

Abstract

In the digital age, storytelling has evolved from traditional oral forms to multimodal digital narratives that combine text, images, audio, and video. This study investigates the role of digital storytelling (DST) in fostering creative expression and cultural literacy among English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners. Using a qualitative descriptive approach, this research involved 60 students from two universities in Indonesia and Malaysia. Data were collected through classroom observations, reflective journals, and semi-structured interviews. Findings indicate that digital storytelling promotes deeper engagement, enhances creativity, and encourages learners to explore cultural perspectives through language. It also fosters collaborative learning and improves communicative competence. However, challenges such as technological access, time constraints, and varying digital literacy levels were observed. The study concludes that digital storytelling serves as a powerful pedagogical tool that integrates language skills, creativity, and intercultural understanding in 21st-century EFL education.