Digital Storytelling and Critical Listening in EYL: Exploring the Impact of Let’s Read on Learners’ Engagement and Comprehension

Abstract

This study explores the impact of interactive digital storytelling on young learners’ engagement, critical listening, and listening comprehension in a community-based learning environment. Grounded in the framework of digital transformation in English language learning, the study integrates an interactive read-aloud approach using the Let’s Read platform. An explanatory sequential mixed-methods design was employed involving 15 learners aged 9–12 from a community reading center (Taman Bacaan Masyarakat). Quantitative data were collected through pre- and post-listening tests, while qualitative data were obtained from engagement checklists, field notes, and interviews. The findings revealed a significant improvement in listening comprehension, supported by a high normalized gain and statistically significant pre- and post-test differences. Learners also demonstrated high levels of behavioral, emotional, and cognitive engagement throughout the storytelling sessions. Furthermore, interactive teacher-guided questioning promoted emerging critical listening skills, including prediction, inference, evaluation, and personal reflection. The study demonstrates that combining digital storytelling with interactive read-aloud provides an effective and inclusive approach to enhancing English language learning, particularly in community-based and low-resource contexts, while contributing to community literacy development and innovative digital pedagogy.