Indonesian High School Teachers' Views on Media Education: Challenges and Prospects in EFL Instruction

Abstract

In the rapidly advancing digital era, media education's relevance within educational systems has significantly grown, particularly in culturally diverse societies like Indonesia. In light of this, this study was conducted to gather the perspectives of 92 English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, with an emphasis on their integration of media education into their lesson plans. Utilizing a quantitative survey research design, the study revealed the teachers' strategies and their perceived benefits and drawbacks of media use in their classrooms. It also explored the influence of local cultural norms on their teaching approaches. The findings suggested a broadly positive attitude towards the integration of media into teaching, further endorsing its potential as a powerful instructional aid. Despite stumbling blocks such as technology and resource limitations and inadequate institutional support, teachers consistently recognized the vital role media plays in boosting students' intercultural competence. In conclusion, the study identifies potential areas for further research, such as enhancing institutional support for media integration and discerning specific needs of teachers. Even with its limitations, the study yields essential insights that could inform the crafting of strategies and policies designed to maximize the potential of media in EFL instruction, while confronting the identified challenges.