Integrating academic literacy into contemporary learning: What we learned from an Indonesian EFL classroom

Indah Werdiningsih
Universitas Muhammadiyah Jember, Indonesia
Kardi Nurhadi
Universitas Negeri Malang, Indonesia and Universitas Wiralodra, Indonesia
Utami Widiati
Universitas Negeri Malang and Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Malaysia
Siti Muniroh
Universitas Negeri Malang, Indonesia

Academic literacy has evolved significantly over the past two decades, expanding beyond basic reading and writing skills to include a broad range of competencies essential for successful modern education. These competencies - skilled communication, critical thinking, collaboration, and digital literacy - are crucial for preparing students to navigate the complexities of an interconnected world. However, the integration of these competencies into English as a foreign language (EFL) teaching in contemporary learning environments remains under-explored. We used an explanatory case study design to investigate the integration of academic literacy into an EFL course at a private university in East Java, Indonesia. Data collection focused on course lesson plans and student worksheets, examining five key aspects: collaboration, skilled communication, knowledge construction, real-world problem-solving, and ICT-based learning. The findings revealed that academic literacy was effectively integrated throughout the course. Students engaged in activities that developed their communication skills, critical thinking abilities, and ability to apply knowledge in interdisciplinary and real-world contexts. The use of digital tools was particularly significant, enhancing students' digital literacy and preparing them for future academic and professional challenges. This study underscores the importance of embedding academic literacy in contemporary EFL learning, particularly in the context of digital literacy. The successful integration of these competencies will help students develop the skills essential for academic success and real-world application, aligning with broader educational objectives. These insights offer valuable guidance for educators and policymakers seeking to enhance the effectiveness of EFL instruction by incorporating key literacy skills, particularly in contexts requiring the application of digital tools and interdisciplinary knowledge.
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Authors: Dr Indah Werdiningsih holds a PhD in English Language Education from Universitas Negeri Malang, Indonesia, and is a faculty member in the English Department at Universitas Muhammadiyah Jember, Indonesia. She teaches courses on English language acquisition and pedagogy, with research interests in teacher and learner autonomy, technology-enhanced language learning, EFL teaching strategies, and speaking proficiency enhancement. Indah has made significant contributions to academic research and teaching practice, focusing on improving educational outcomes for language learners. Dedicated to integrating innovative teaching methods and leveraging technology, she aims to enhance the language learning experience. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7185-3145 Email: indah_andin@unmuhjember.ac.id Mr Kardi Nurhadi (corresponding author) is a faculty member at the Department of English at the Faculty of Education, Universitas Wiralodra, Indonesia. His research interests lie in extensive reading, critical reading and literacy, academic reading, exploratory practice in EFL, technology-mediated task-based language teaching (TMTBLT), teacher professional development, photovoice in language education and emotional geography in language teaching and learning. Currently, he is a PhD student in English language education, Faculty of Letters, Universitas Negeri Malang, Indonesia. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4548-1317 Email: kardi.nurhadi.2202219@students.um.ac.id Dr Utami Widiati is a distinguished professor in the Department of English, Faculty of Letters, at Universitas Negeri Malang, Indonesia, and a research fellow in the Faculty of Languages and Communication, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Malaysia. She holds a PhD in TESOL from Monash University, Australia, an MA in Primary Education (Language Education) from the Institute of Education, University of London, UK, and a BA in Teaching English as a Foreign Language from IKIP Malang, Indonesia. Her areas of expertise include teacher professional development, teacher education, second language acquisition (SLA), and teaching strategies. She teaches courses in SLA, research review in English language teaching (ELT), curriculum, and classroom management, focusing on advancing ELT practices. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8603-4556 Email: utami.widiati.fs@um.ac.id Dr Siti Muniroh (or "Iroh" for short) is a lecturer at the Department of English Language Education, Faculty of Letters, Universitas Negeri Malang (UM), Indonesia, with research interests in language teacher cognition, critical thinking, sociocultural theory, curriculum, and pedagogy. Iroh has been teaching at UM since 2008 in English language skills, especially listening and reading, and in content courses such as instructional media and activities in language teaching (IMALTs) and research methodology. She earned her PhD in TESOL from Monash University Australia in 2020, sponsored by an LPDP Scholarship. In 2006-2007, she was awarded an Australia Partnership Scholarship for undertaking a masters degree in applied linguistics at the University of Queensland (UQ), Australia. She has received the UQ Faculty of Arts Dean's Commendation twice for her distinguished achievements. She has published some book chapters and journal articles and trained elementary school teachers in critical thinking pedagogy for community service. She is an active member of TEFLIN and Asia TEFL. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3949-7961 Email: siti.muniroh.fs@um.ac.id Please cite as: Werdiningsih, I., Nurhadi, K., Widiati, U. & Muniroh, S. (2025). Integrating academic literacy into contemporary learning: What we learned from an Indonesian EFL classroom. Issues in Educational Research, 35(1), 380-394. http://www.iier.org.au/iier35/werdiningsih.pdf