Integrating Language Skills into Journalism Practice for Higher Education: Perspectives from Students and Lecturers

Digital Technologies Research and Applications

Article

Integrating Language Skills into Journalism Practice for Higher Education: Perspectives from Students and Lecturers

Downloads

https://doi.org/10.54963/dtra.v4i3.1970
Fujita Yusandra, T., Ermanto, & WS, H. (2025). Integrating Language Skills into Journalism Practice for Higher Education: Perspectives from Students and Lecturers. Digital Technologies Research and Applications, 4(3), 264–280. https://doi.org/10.54963/dtra.v4i3.1970
Volume 4 Issue 3: December 2025
Copyright (c) 2025 Titiek Fujita Yusandra, Ermanto, Hasanuddin WS
Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Copyright

The authors shall retain the copyright of their work but allow the Publisher to publish, copy, distribute, and convey the work.

License

Digital Technologies Research and Applications (DTRA)  publishes accepted manuscripts under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). Authors who submit their papers for publication by DTRA agree to have the CC BY 4.0 license applied to their work, and that anyone is allowed to reuse the article or part of it free of charge for any purpose, including commercial use. As long as the author and original source are properly cited, anyone may copy, redistribute, reuse, and transform the content.

Authors

  • Titiek Fujita Yusandra

    Faculty of Languages and Arts, Universitas Negeri Padang, Padang 25131, Indonesia
  • Ermanto

    Faculty of Languages and Arts, Universitas Negeri Padang, Padang 25131, Indonesia
  • Hasanuddin WS

    Faculty of Languages and Arts, Universitas Negeri Padang, Padang 25131, Indonesia

Received: 11 October 2025; Revised: 27 October 2025; Accepted: 5 November 2025; Published: 23 December 2025

Integrating language skills into journalism education is crucial for preparing students to meet professional demands in the media industry. The purpose of this study is to explore the integration of language skills into journalism practice based on the perspectives of students and lecturers directly involved in journalism activities. This study stems from the gap between the practical skills required by students and the available learning mate‑rials, which often leaves graduates unprepared to meet the demands of the media industry. This study employs a mixed‑method approach, distributing questionnaires to 64 students from three universities: Universitas Bung Hatta, Universitas PGRI West Sumatra, and Universitas Muhammadiyah West Sumatra. Semi‑structured interviews were also conducted with three lecturers teaching journalism practice courses at each university. The research findings indicate that the most needed skills include news writing, headline creation, script reading for audiovisual production, and news video editing. The four basic language skills, listening, speaking, reading, and writing, are considered essential for integration into journalism practice modules. These findings suggest that developing contextual industry‑oriented journalism learning materials can enhance students' competencies comprehensively, fostering graduates who are adaptive, competent, and ethical in producing credible journalistic work. The study contributes insights for designing journalism education that aligns with language learning integration and professional newsroom expectations.

Keywords:

Language Skills Journalism Practice Higher Education Perspectives

References

  1. Hodgson, P.; Wong, D. Developing Professional Skills in Journalism through Blogs. Assess. Eval. High. Educ. 2011, 36, 197–211.
  2. Eschenfelder, C.C. But Can They Write? Television News Industry Assessment of the Skills of Broadcast Journalism Students and Recent Graduates. J. Mass Commun. Educ. 2020, 75, 226–232.
  3. Kothari, A.; Hickerson, A. Challenges for Journalism Education in the Era of Automation. Media Pract. Educ. 2020, 21, 212–228. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/25741136.2020.1787724
  4. Lingwall, A. Rigor or Remediation? Exploring Writing Proficiency and Assessment Measures in Journalism and Mass Communication Programs. Journal. Mass Commun. Educ. 2010, 65, 283–302. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/107769581006500306
  5. Yang, J.; Chen, Y.; Wang, Y. Exploring the Interplay of Motivation, Engagement and Critical Thinking Among EFL Learners: Evidence from Structural Equation Modelling. Eur. J. Educ. 2025, 60, e70187.
  6. Tsao, J.J. Effects of EFL Learners’ L2 Writing Self-Efficacy on Engagement with Written Corrective Feedback. Asia-Pac. Educ. Res. 2021, 30, 575–584. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40299-021-00591-9
  7. Zhou, W.; Liu, Q. Effect of University Teachers’ Teaching Style on EFL Learners’ Classroom Engagement: The Mediating Role of Self-Efficacy. BMC Psychol. 2025, 13, 1–18.
  8. Madison, E.; Madison, E.L. Piloting Journalistic Learning in a Rural Trump-Supportive Community: A Reverse Mentorship Approach. J. Media Lit. Educ. 2019, 11, 49–60.
  9. Valencia-Forrester, F. Models of Work-Integrated Learning in Journalism Education. Journalism Stud. 2020, 21, 697–712.
  10. Rolnicki, T.E.; Taylor, S.; Tate, C.D. Scholastic Journalism, 11th ed.; Kencana Prenada Media Group: Jakarta, Indonesia, 2008.
  11. Guldin, R.; Madison, E.; Anderson, R.C. Writing for Social Justice: Journalistic Strategies for Catalyzing Agentic Engagement Among Latinx Middle School Students through Media Education. J. Media Lit. Educ. 2021, 13, 71–85.
  12. Payton, J. Using Mindful Play to Unlock Creativity: A Creative Companion. Prism 2020, 3, 8–33. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24377/prism.ljmu.03012010
  13. Hubbard, G.T.; Kang, J.A.; Crawford, E.C. Crossing Cross-Platform: Comparing Skills Preferences and Convergence Attitudes in Strategic Communication and News Disciplines. J. Mass Commun. Educ. 2016, 71, 453–469.
  14. Gallicano, T.D.; Curtin, P.; Matthews, K. I Love What I Do, But... A Relationship Management Survey of Millennial Generation Public Relations Agency Employees. J. Public Relat. Res. 2012, 24, 222–242.
  15. Pompper, D. “Cheap Labor” Speaks: PR Adjuncts on Pedagogy and Preparing Millennials for Careers. Public Relat. Rev. 2011, 37, 456–465.
  16. Bromley, M.; Tumber, H.; Zelizer, B. Journalism Education. Journalism 2001, 2, 251–254.
  17. Macdonald, I. Teaching Journalists to Save the Profession. Journal. Stud. 2006, 7, 745–764.
  18. Chen, J.; Yang, L. Current Situation and Case Study of Vocabulary Learning Strategies. Mod. Chin. 2016, 3, 6–10.
  19. Moody, M. Teaching Twitter and Beyond: Tips for Incorporating Social Media in Traditional Courses. J. Mag. New Media Res. 2010, 11, 1–9.
  20. Todd, V. Public Relations Supervisors and Millennial Entry-Level Practitioners Rate Entry-Level Job Skills and Professional Characteristics. Public Relat. Rev. 2014, 40, 789–797. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pubrev.2014.05.002
  21. Wang, L. The Gap between University Studies and Labour Market in Journalism: Opening Educational Community Example in China. Heliyon 2022, 8, e11973. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e11973
  22. Fulton, J. Investigative Journalism: A System of Creativity. In Investigative Journalism in Changing Times: Australian and Anglo-American Reporting; Coatney, C., Ed.; Routledge: London, UK, 2022.
  23. Chari, S.G. From Classroom to Byline: The Role of Journalism Education in Writing and Publishing Success. Int. J. Creat. Res. Thoughts 2024, 12, 2320–2882.
  24. Hossain, M.S.; Wenger, D. Has Journalism Education Kept Up with Digital Transformation? J. Mass Commun. Educ. 2024, 79, 129–146.
  25. Miller, S.; Cepak, A.; Peng, Z. The Pedagogical Approaches to Teaching Journalistic Interviewing Competencies. Electron. News 2020, 14, 78–96. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1931243120910448
  26. Nylund, M. The News-Generating Machine: The Reporter–Source Interview in Television News Production. Journalism Pract. 2011, 5, 478–491.
  27. Huang, E.; Davison, K.; Shreve, S.; et al. Facing the Challenges of Convergence: Media Professionals’ Concerns of Working Across Media Platforms. Convergence 2006, 12, 83–98.
  28. Lane, A.B.; Johnston, K.A. Bridging the Writing Gap between Student and Professional: Analyzing Writing Education in Public Relations and Journalism. Public Relat. Rev. 2017, 43, 314–325. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pubrev.2017.02.008
  29. Blom, R.; Davenport, L.D. Searching for the Core of Journalism Education: Program Directors Disagree on Curriculum Priorities. J. Mass Commun. Educ. 2012, 67, 70–86.
  30. Wenger, D.; Owens, L.C. An Examination of Job Skills Required by Top U.S. Broadcast News Companies and Potential Impact on Journalism Curricula. Electron. News 2013, 7, 22–35.
  31. Lepre, C.; Bleske, G.L. Little Common Ground for Magazine Editors and Professors Surveyed on Journalism Curriculum. Journal. Mass Commun. Educ. 2005, 60, 190–200. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/107769580506000210
  32. Uth, B.; Stehle, H.; Wilhelm, C.; et al. The Journalism–Audience Relationship in the Digital Age: A Theoretical Literature Review. Journalism 2025, 26, 45–64.
  33. Steel, J.; Carmichael, B.; Holmes, D.; et al. Experiential Learning and Journalism Education: Lessons Learned in the Practice of Teaching Journalism. Educ. Train. 2007, 49, 325–334.
  34. Idayani, A.; Sailun, B.; Yuliani, S. News and Media Literacy for Speaking Practice. Al-Ishlah J. Pendidik. 2022, 14, 1733–1742.
  35. Berret, C.; Phillips, C. Teaching Data and Computational Journalism; Columbia Journalism School: New York, NY, USA, 2016; pp. 7–92.
  36. Ekström, M.; Lundell, Å.K. Beyond the Broadcast Interview: Specialized Forms of Interviewing in the Making of Television News. Journalism Stud. 2011, 12, 172–187.
  37. Linell, P. Approaching Dialogue: Talk, Interaction, and Contexts in Dialogical Perspectives; John Benjamins Publishing Company: Amsterdam, Netherlands, 2001.
  38. Dick, M. Interactive Infographics and News Values. Digit. Journal. 2014, 2, 490–506.
  39. Kormelink, T.G. Seeing, Thinking, Feeling: A Critical Reflection on Interview-Based Methods for Studying News Use. Journalism Stud. 2020, 21, 863–878.
  40. Alonso, M.O.; Calderón, C.A.; Pérez, D.O. Pre-Professional Journalistic Cultures of Cuba, Ecuador and Venezuela: Perceptions of Students About Ethics and Journalism Practices. Commun. Soc. 2019, 32, 93–107.
  41. Pavlovic, D. Education of Journalism Students and Their Perception of Journalistic Ethics. Facta Univ. Teach. Learn. Teach. Educ. 2022, 6, 59–70.
  42. Peterlin, L.J.; Peters, J. Teaching Journalism Ethics Through “The Newsroom”: An Enhanced Learning Experience. J. Mass Commun. Educ. 2019, 74, 44–59.
  43. Mihailidis, P.; Viotty, S. Spreadable Spectacle in Digital Culture: Civic Expression, Fake News, and the Role of Media Literacies in “Post-Fact” Society. Am. Behav. Sci. 2017, 61, 441–454.
  44. Franks, S.; Wells, R.; Maiden, N.; et al. Using Computational Tools to Support Journalists’ Creativity. Journalism 2021, 23, 1881–1899.
  45. Nettlefold, J.; Williams, K. News Media Literacy Challenges and Opportunities for Australian School Students and Teachers in the Age of Platforms. J. Media Lit. Educ. 2021, 13, 28–40.
  46. Livingstone, S.; van Couvering, E.; Thumim, N. Adult Media Literacy: A Review of the Research Literature on Behalf of Ofcom; Ofcom: London, UK, 2004.
  47. Malik, M.; Cortesi, S.; Gasser, U. The Challenges of Defining “News Literacy”; Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society, Harvard University: Cambridge, MA, USA, 2013.
  48. Weinrich, K.C. Conceptualizing News Literacy. J. Educ. Humanit. 2020, 3, 48–63. DOI: https://doi.org/10.14706/JEH2021324
  49. Larrondo Ureta, A.; Peña Fernández, S. Keeping Pace with Journalism Training in the Age of Social Media and Convergence: How Worthwhile Is It to Teach Online Skills? Journalism 2018, 19, 877–891.
  50. Salaverría, R.; Masip, P. Media Convergence. In Handbook on the Digital Creative Economy; Veglis, E.S., Ampatzoglou, A., Eds.; John Wiley & Sons, Inc.: Hoboken, NJ, USA, 2012.
  51. Jenkins, H. Convergence Culture: Where Old and New Media Collide; New York University Press: New York, NY, USA, 2006.
  52. Briggs, M. Journalism 2.0: How to Survive and Thrive; Knight Foundation: Miami, FL, USA, 2007.
  53. Hirst, M.; Treadwell, G. Blogs Bother Me: Social Media, Journalism Students and the Curriculum. Journal. Pract. 2011, 5, 446–461.
  54. Wu, H.; Wang, Y.; Wang, Y. How Burnout, Resilience, and Engagement Interplay Among EFL Learners: A Mixed-Methods Investigation in the Chinese Senior High School Context. Porta Linguarum 2024, 2024, 193–213.
  55. Sulaymanova, B. Teaching English to Journalism Students in the Digital Age: A Methodological Approach. Salud Cienc. Tecnol. 2025, 4, 1491. Available online: https://dialnet.unirioja.es/servlet/articulo?codigo=10134983
  56. Masoudi, O.A.; Hejase, H.J. Needed Current Characteristics of a Good Iranian Graduate in Journalism and Media Studies. Asian Bus. Res. 2023, 8, 1–10.
  57. Zhi, R.; Wang, Y.; Wang, Y. The Role of Emotional Intelligence and Self-Efficacy in EFL Teachers’ Technology Adoption. Asia-Pac. Educ. Res. 2024, 33, 845–856. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40299-023-00782-6
  58. Kroon Lundell, Å.; Ekström, M. “Interview Bites” in Television News Production and Presentation. Journalism Pract. 2010, 4, 476–491.