STAKEHOLDER PERCEPTIONS OF NEW MEDIA’S IMPACT ON ENGLISH SKILLS AND MEDIA LITERACY: A CASE STUDY OF ONE SCHOOL

This case study investigates stakeholder perceptions of new media’s influence on English language proficiency and media literacy within a school, focusing on insights from teachers, students, parents, and school administrators. The study addresses two core questions: how stakeholders perceive new media’s impact on students’ English skills, and the roles and challenges of media literacy in enabling students to navigate digital content effectively. Employing a qualitative case study approach, data were gathered through focus group interviews involving 11 school-leavers, their parents, four EFL teachers, and the school’s principal and vice-principal, enabling nuanced discussions and multifaceted perspectives. Additionally, a web-based questionnaire, completed by 60 participants, provided supplementary insights that enriched the overall findings. Results reveal that while new media is perceived as a catalyst for autonomous learning, its unmoderated use can lead to excessive reliance, which may impede the development of essential cognitive skills, such as critical thinking and creativity. Notably, the ability to distinguish fact from opinion emerged as the lowest competency among students, underscoring a critical gap in current media literacy efforts. The study advocates for a balanced integration of digital tools in educational settings, recommending structured media literacy curricula and enhanced teacher training. Future research will extend this exploration through targeted interventions measuring the impact of digital media on English language competencies and media literacy in diverse educational contexts. Keywords: media literacy, competencies, new media, teacher development, secondary education.