EFL Learners’ Perceptions and Attitudinal Fluctuations Toward Digital Multimodal Composition: A Longitudinal Approach

Abstract

This longitudinal study used a mixed-methods approach to investigate multiple digital multimodal composition (DMC) tasks effect on EFL learners’ attitudes toward DMC. The sample consisted of Arabic-speaking students (n = 40), enrolled in an English language program at a Saudi university. Data comprised multiple sources, including five online tasks, five questionnaires, reflections, and focus group discussions. The findings show that students maintained positive attitudes toward DMC, suggesting that such attitudes are not a consequence of the novelty effect, postulated in previous cross-sectional research. Furthermore, there is a significant attitudinal fluctuation observed in attitudes toward how DMC facilitates meaning communication. Meanwhile, major themes emerged that explain positive attitudes, including enjoyability, communication, motivation, Second language and writing development, and satisfaction. Conversely, the availability of nonlinguistic components might pose negative effects on learners. This paper sheds light on pedagogical implications and avenues for future research.