Benefits and challenges of integrating media literacy in EFL classrooms: a quantitative study

Abstract

The modern digital media environment requires the development of media literacy, which makes it possible to critically analyse and evaluate information. Furthermore, teachers play a crucial role in teaching and successfully implementing media literacy in schools. The purpose of this study is to investigate the extent to which media literacy is integrated into English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classrooms and identify its benefits and challenges. Quantitative methodology was employed using a questionnaire distributed via online platforms to address the topic. The data were collected from 116 secondary school EFL teachers in Almaty, Kazakhstan. A purposive sampling technique was employed in the study. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data from the demographic information of the participants, as well as the mean and standard deviation scores of the Likert-scale questionnaire with 20 items. The results showed that EFL teachers encountered challenges such as the need for reliable resources and insufficient teacher training, which hindered effective implementation. The research implications describe the extent to which media literacy is integrated into EFL classrooms and highlight the benefits and challenges of implementation.