INFORMAL DIGITAL LEARNING OF ENGLISH AMONG EFL UNDERGRADUATES: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW (2019-2023)

Abstract

The prevalence of digital technologies greatly facilitates informal digital learning of English (IDLE) among undergraduate students who are raised in a digital environment. While there has been a rising studies on IDLE, there is limited information for undergraduate students learning English as a foreign language (EFL). Therefore, this study seeks to address this gap by examining the status and trends of informal digital English learning in the EFL setting. The research questions in this study are: (1) What has been the interest of IDLE-related research from 2019 to 2023? (2) What trends were reported in the existing literature? (3) What are the recommendations for the future research on IDLE? To address the questions, the study conducted a systematic literature review of 31 relevant articles between 2019 to Nov. 2023 focusing on EFL undergraduate students. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines are utilized for the selection, screening, and reporting processes. The study yields 10 themes on IDLE and offers valuable insights for researchers in EFL teaching and learning. This review aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of the current interests, trends, and existing gaps in IDLE research within the EFL domain.