Digital-Based Listening Materials in the Merdeka Curriculum: A Narrative Review

Abstract

This narrative review examines the use of digital listening materials in the Merdeka Curriculum in Indonesia. The Merdeka Curriculum is implemented to fulfill 21st-century learning guidelines in terms of material effectiveness, flexibility, and graduate profile confirmation. Listening skills are fundamental in English language learning, but remain a challenge for students of English as a foreign language (EFL) due to the lack of explanation of the original context. This review uses a narrative review method, examining articles or journals published between 2021 and 2025 that discuss digital media in learning and teaching listening skills. The findings report that podcasts, audio-video, YouTube platforms, AR/VR applications, and digital worksheets related to audio are widely used to develop in-depth listening comprehension. These materials provide credible input, flexible access, multimodal experiences, and support a student-centered approach in the Merdeka Curriculum. However, several challenges remain, including teacher readiness in utilizing teaching materials through digital tools, a lack of local cultural content, and insufficient links to formative assessment. In general, digital-based listening resources are effective in developing context-appropriate meaning-making and deep thinking, in line with the curriculum's emphasis on creativity, independence, and 21st-century competencies. Future research should focus on teacher training, cultural adaptation, and assessment integration to maximize the potential of listening materials.