A  Systematic Literature Review on Trends and Challenges in Language, Literature, and Cultural Education

Muhammad Syabani Ridwanulloh; Solihah Bagus; Khaidir Maulana; Sigit Apriyanto

doi:10.54012/jcell.v5i001.605

Authors

Muhammad Syabani Ridwanulloh STAI Dr. KH. EZ. Muttaqien Purwakarta, West Java, Indonesia
Solihah Bagus STAI Dr. KH. EZ. Muttaqien Purwakarta, West Java, Indonesia
Khaidir Maulana STAI Dr. KH. EZ. Muttaqien Purwakarta, West Java, Indonesia
Sigit Apriyanto Universitas Indonesia Mandiri, Lampung, Indonesia

https://doi.org/10.54012/jcell.v5i001.605

Abstract views: 123

PDF downloads: 27

Keywords:

Indonesian Language and Literature, Learning Integration, Literacy, Cultural Appreciation

Abstract

This study aimed to examine how the Merdeka Curriculum provides a holistic framework by combining language and literature learning, with the goal of enhancing literacy skills and at the same time nurturing cultural awareness. Using a systematic literature review method, the study reviewed scholarly works—including articles, research reports, and scientific publications published between 2015 and 2025—selected through purposive sampling based on predetermined eligibility criteria. Data were analysed thematically through coding, categorisation, and identification of recurring themes. The findings reveal that integrating language and literature in the Merdeka Curriculum consistently enhances students’ critical reading, expressive writing, and comprehension of social and cultural contexts. The incorporation of digital technologies and interactive media further broadens access and encourages active participation in integrative learning. Nevertheless, several challenges persist, such as limited teacher competence, insufficient professional training, and inadequate supporting facilities.The study concludes that the success of language and literature integration within the Merdeka Curriculum is strongly influenced by teacher preparedness, supportive educational policies, and adequate infrastructure. It further emphasises the necessity of continuous professional development for teachers, the establishment of competency-based assessment models, and the expansion of empirical research to evaluate the broader effectiveness of integrative approaches. These findings provide significant implications for policymakers, educators, and researchers seeking to enhance both literacy skills and cultural awareness in the Indonesian educational context.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Ahmad, R. (2020). Integrasi sastra lokal dalam pembelajaran bahasa: Strategi penguatan identitas budaya. Jurnal Pendidikan Bahasa, 12(2), 45–58.

Aji, R., Santoso, H., & Wijaya, D. (2022). Ethical challenges of AI in language education. Journal of Educational Technology and Society, 25(3), 110–123.

Alter, A. (2019). The rise of digital literature: Reading in the multimedia age. New York: Routledge.

Anggraini, D., & Puspitasari, N. (2021). Digital media in literature learning: Strengthening reading interest and cultural appreciation. Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan, 23(1), 77–89.

Angraeni, S., & Yusuf, M. (2022). Literasi kritis dan budaya dalam implementasi Kurikulum Merdeka. Jurnal Pendidikan Bahasa dan Sastra, 22(4), 210–225.

Apriyanto, Sigit, Dalman, & Santoso, D. (2020). The urgency of forensic linguistics in a police interrogation process. International Journal of Psychosocial Rehabilitation, 24(6), 4766–4772. https://doi.org/10.37200/IJPR/V24I6/PR260467

Boell, S. K., & Cecez-Kecmanovic, D. (2015). On being ‘systematic’ in literature reviews in IS. Journal of Information Technology, 30(2), 161–173.

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101.

Cenoz, J., & Gorter, D. (2021). Pedagogical translanguaging: Insights from international research. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Chang, L., Ibrahim, A., & Nugroho, B. (2019). Local culture-based literacy in Indonesian schools: Challenges and opportunities. Asia-Pacific Journal of Education, 39(5), 687–703.

Dalman, Hesti, & Apriyanto, S. (2020a). Conversational implicature: A pragmatic study of “our conversation” in learning at university. International Journal of Psychosocial Rehabilitation, 24(8), 4332–4340. https://doi.org/10.37200/IJPR/V24I8/PR280450

Erlam, R., Philp, J., & Feick, D. (2017). Digital media in the language classroom. In S. Walsh & K. Mann (Eds.), Teaching languages to adolescent learners (pp. 81–98). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781316649271.006

Fink, A. (2019). Conducting research literature reviews: From the Internet to paper. Sage publications.

Gamal, A. H. (2021). Developing multimedia technology for EFL classrooms in Indonesia using ADDIE model. ELTR Journal, 5(1), 69–80. https://doi.org/10.37149/eltr.v5i1.162

Garcia, O., & Wei, L. (2018). Translanguaging: Language, bilingualism and education. London: Palgrave Macmillan.

Helm, F. (2020). Virtual exchange for global citizenship education: The EU experience. Journal of Global Education, 5(1), 1–17.

Helsinki Initiative. (2019). Multilingualism in scholarly communication: Helsinki initiative on multilingualism. Retrieved from https://www.helsinki-initiative.org

Hoang Yen, P., & Thanh Thao, L. (2024). Exploring the implementation and perception of competency-based assessment practices among Vietnamese EFL instructors. Language Testing in Asia, 14(1), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40468-024-00300-5

Kasiyarno, K., & Apriyanto, S. (2025). Influence of Globalisation on the Shift in Local Language and Cultural Identity. Journal Corner of Education, Linguistics, and Literature, 4(3), 372–383. https://doi.org/10.54012/jcell.v4i3.435

Kitchenham, B., & Charters, S. (2007). Guidelines for performing Systematic Literature Reviews in Software Engineering. EBSE Technical Report.

Lestari, L. S., & Ramadan, Z. H. (2022). Effectiveness of cultural literacy and citizenship through staging creativity in strengthening multicultural awareness. Jurnal Pendidikan dan Pengajaran, 55(3), 412–422. https://ejournal.undiksha.ac.id/index.php/JPP/article/view/65922

Maksimova, O. (2022). Online education during COVID-19: Adaptation of teachers and students. Educational Studies, 48(2), 155–172.

Moher, D., Liberati, A., Tetzlaff, J., & Altman, D. G. (2009). Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: The PRISMA statement. PLoS Medicine, 6(7), e1000097.

Nasip, S., & Zulkiply, N. (2024). Local culture literacy: Strengthening student engagement in Indonesian schools. Journal of Literacy Studies, 14(1), 55–70.

Nurgiyantoro, B. (2019). Sastra sebagai wahana pembentukan sikap kritis dan apresiatif siswa. Jurnal Pendidikan Karakter, 9(1), 56–68.

O’Dowd, R. (2016). Emerging trends and new directions in telecollaborative learning. CALICO Journal, 33(3), 291–310.

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). (2019). OECD future of education and skills 2030: Conceptual learning framework. Paris: OECD Publishing.

Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., et al. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ, 372, n71.

Panicker, R. (2020). Cultural barriers in adopting educational innovations: A South Asian perspective. International Journal of Education Development, 74, 102–112.

Puspitasari, E. (2015). Literature-based learning to build students’ vocabulary. Focus on Language and Literature Journal. Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta.

Puspitasari, R. (2022). Penilaian berbasis kompetensi dalam Kurikulum Merdeka. Jurnal Evaluasi Pendidikan, 10(2), 99–113.

Ramadhani, Y. R., Tambunan, E. E., Harputra, Y., Sibuea, B., & Harahap, N. (2021). Integrating critical literacy and local wisdom: A study of Batak Angkola cultural discourse. Spectral: Journal of Language, Literature, and Learning, 8(1), 1–12. https://journal.stbapontianak.ac.id/index.php/spectral/article/view/124

Rizal, M., Kurniawan, F., & Lestari, T. (2022). Digital divide in language education: Evidence from Indonesia. Journal of Digital Education, 15(2), 67–83.

Santoso, B. (2019). Pendidikan bahasa dan sastra di era globalisasi: Tantangan dan peluang. Jurnal Ilmiah Bahasa dan Sastra, 18(3), 145–160.

Santoso, D., & Apriyanto, S. (2020a). Algorithms of language in speech by the president of republic indonesia. International Journal of Psychosocial Rehabilitation, 24(6), 125–136. https://doi.org/10.37200/IJPR/V24I6/PR260010

Saputra, H., & Paudel, D. (2022). Critical literacy in Indonesian ELT: A multicultural approach based on Banks’ dimensions of education. Kognisi: Journal of Language, Literature, and Education, 3(1), 15–29. https://afeksi.id/journal3/index.php/kognisi/article/view/428

Sivertsen, G. (2018). Patterns of internationalization and multilingualism in scholarly publishing. Nordic Perspectives on Open Science, 4(1), 35–52.

Snyder, H. (2019). Literature review as a research methodology: An overview and guidelines. Journal of Business Research, 104, 333–339.

Sukmalasari, T., & Tarihoran, A. (2025). Artificial intelligence in adaptive language learning. Journal of Language and Technology, 20(1), 23–40.

Sumarwati, S., Anindyarini, A., Suryanto, E., Hadiyah, H., & Menjamin, S. (2023). Assessment competence in Indonesian language learning of rural primary school teachers. Bahastra: Jurnal Pendidikan Bahasa dan Sastra Indonesia, 43(1), 34–45. https://journal1.uad.ac.id/index.php/BAHASTRA/article/view/510

Suryani, I., Pratama, Y., & Dewi, L. (2021). Multimedia-based literature learning: Enhancing student engagement. Journal of Educational Media, 13(2), 88–102.

Sutanto, A. (2020). Kurikulum Merdeka dan perubahan paradigma pembelajaran. Jurnal Inovasi Pendidikan, 14(1), 101–118.

Tranfield, D., Denyer, D., & Smart, P. (2003). Towards a methodology for developing evidence‐informed management knowledge by means of systematic review. British Journal of Management, 14(3), 207–222.

Triana, Y., Sari, I. F., & Apriyanto, S. (2020a). Language features and causes of suicide case from forensic linguistics point of view. International Journal of Psychosocial Rehabilitation, 24(6), 7955–7966. https://doi.org/10.37200/IJPR/V24I6/PR260803

UNESCO. (2021). Global education monitoring report 2021/2: Non-state actors in education. Paris: UNESCO Publishing.

Verzella, M. (2018). Virtual exchange as a tool for global learning. Journal of Online Learning and Teaching, 14(3), 123–135.

Wang, S., & Vasquez, C. (2017). Web 2.0 and second language learning: Rethinking the digital divide. Language Learning & Technology, 21(2), 1–20.

Wiranatha, I., & Santosa, G. (2024). Smartphone use and declining reading habits among Indonesian students. Journal of Reading Behaviour, 19(2), 45–60.

Yusuf, M. (2024). Inequality in online education: Lessons from COVID-19 in Indonesia. Journal of Education Policy, 39(1), 75–92.

Zhao, Y. (2020). Digital learning in language education: Opportunities and challenges. Educational Technology Research and Development, 68(5), 2345–2360.