Research Article

Multiliteracy in practice: culture integrated digital storytelling in EFL classes

Volume: 12 Number: 1 June 30, 2026

Multiliteracy in practice: culture integrated digital storytelling in EFL classes

Abstract

The rapid growth of technology offers EFL teachers new opportunities to enhance learning through digital tools. Digital storytelling supports multiliteracy by combining visual, auditory, and textual elements, while its project-based nature encourages active student participation and the use of all language skills. This action research explores EFL students’ perceptions of learning English through culturally grounded digital storytelling tasks. In an eight-hour program, high school students in Türkiye selected and presented a local cultural asset using multimodal tools. After completing their projects, 21 students answered a questionnaire evaluating the impact of the program on their English learning. Results show that most students found digital storytelling engaging and effective in improving language skills and cultural awareness. The study concludes that integrating cultural elements into digital storytelling fosters motivation, multiliteracy development, and positive attitudes toward learning English, suggesting its value as a pedagogical tool in EFL contexts.

Keywords

References

  1. Akhtar, J. A., Gaffar, A., & Arifin, S. (2023). Implementation of multiliteration pedagogy in education: A socio-cultural perspective. FIKROTUNA: Jurnal Pendidikan dan Manajemen Islam, 12(2), 29–47. https://doi.org/10.32806/jf.v12i02.7629
  2. Aldosari, H., & Alrefai, I. (2020). Exploring the role of cultural teaching in EFL college programs: An introspective study. International Journal of Language and Linguistics, 8(4), 174–184. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20200804.18
  3. Angay-Crowder, T., Choi, J., & Yi, Y. (2013). Putting multiliteracies into practice: Digital storytelling for multilingual adolescents in a summer program. TESL Canada Journal, 30(2), 36–52. https://doi.org/10.18806/tesl.v30i2.1140
  4. Bandura, A. (1977). Self-efficacy: Toward a unifying theory of behavioral change. Psychological Review, 84(2), 191–215. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-295X.84.2.191
  5. Barua, S. (2023). Digital storytelling: Impact on learner engagement and language learning outcomes. International Journal of Academic and Applied Research, 7(6), 25–39.
  6. Belda-Medina, J., & Goddard, M. B. (2024). The effect of digital storytelling on English vocabulary learning in inclusive and diverse education. International Journal of English Language Studies, 6(1), 110–118. https://doi.org/10.32996/ijels.2024.6.1.11
  7. Belshaw, D. A. J. (2012). The essential elements of digital literacies [Doctoral dissertation, Durham University]. https://dougbelshaw.com/thesis/
  8. Bogdan, R. C., & Biklen, S. K. (2007). Qualitative research for education: An introduction to theory and methods (5th ed.). Pearson.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

English As A Second Language

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

June 30, 2026

Submission Date

January 15, 2026

Acceptance Date

June 25, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 12 Number: 1

APA
Gül, D., & Tekin, M. (2026). Multiliteracy in practice: culture integrated digital storytelling in EFL classes. The Literacy Trek, 12(1), 182-208. https://doi.org/10.47216/literacytrek.est1864591
AMA
1.Gül D, Tekin M. Multiliteracy in practice: culture integrated digital storytelling in EFL classes. TLT. 2026;12(1):182-208. doi:10.47216/literacytrek.est1864591
Chicago
Gül, Deniz, and Mustafa Tekin. 2026. “Multiliteracy in Practice: Culture Integrated Digital Storytelling in EFL Classes”. The Literacy Trek 12 (1): 182-208. https://doi.org/10.47216/literacytrek.est1864591.
EndNote
Gül D, Tekin M (June 1, 2026) Multiliteracy in practice: culture integrated digital storytelling in EFL classes. The Literacy Trek 12 1 182–208.
IEEE
[1]D. Gül and M. Tekin, “Multiliteracy in practice: culture integrated digital storytelling in EFL classes”, TLT, vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 182–208, June 2026, doi: 10.47216/literacytrek.est1864591.
ISNAD
Gül, Deniz - Tekin, Mustafa. “Multiliteracy in Practice: Culture Integrated Digital Storytelling in EFL Classes”. The Literacy Trek 12/1 (June 1, 2026): 182-208. https://doi.org/10.47216/literacytrek.est1864591.
JAMA
1.Gül D, Tekin M. Multiliteracy in practice: culture integrated digital storytelling in EFL classes. TLT. 2026;12:182–208.
MLA
Gül, Deniz, and Mustafa Tekin. “Multiliteracy in Practice: Culture Integrated Digital Storytelling in EFL Classes”. The Literacy Trek, vol. 12, no. 1, June 2026, pp. 182-08, doi:10.47216/literacytrek.est1864591.
Vancouver
1.Deniz Gül, Mustafa Tekin. Multiliteracy in practice: culture integrated digital storytelling in EFL classes. TLT. 2026 Jun. 1;12(1):182-208. doi:10.47216/literacytrek.est1864591

Creative Commons License The content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Copyright rests with the author; The Literacy Trek must be referred properly.