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Arab World English Journal (AWEJ) Volume 17. Number 1, March 2026 Pp.413-436
Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Malaysia
Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Malaysia
Faculty of Economics and Management, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (The National University of Malaysia), Malaysia
Faculty of Economics and Management, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (The National University of Malaysia), Malaysia.
The use of enriched eBooks in English language education has received increasing attention over the past decade, particularly in higher education and technology-mediated learning contexts. This study presents a systematic literature review of empirical research on enriched eBooks in English as a Foreign Language and English as a Second Language learning published between 2015 and 2025. The review aims to identify trends in participant profiles and language skill focus and to examine how eBook design types and embedded features are associated with language skill coverage. Guided by the PRISMA framework, 37 empirical studies were selected from six academic databases and analysed using descriptive and comparative approaches. Findings show that research has predominantly focused on tertiary-level learners, with reading as the most frequently examined skill. Interactive and enriched eBooks demonstrate broader skill coverage than static designs, although support for speaking and writing remains less consistent. Feature-level analysis indicates that multimedia input and comprehension supports are widely implemented, while feedback mechanisms and production-oriented tools are less frequently integrated. These findings highlight the need for clearer differentiation of eBook design types and stronger alignment between enriched features and language skill development.
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Marene Mohammad is a PhD postgraduate student at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. Her research interests include digital technology in language education, enriched eBooks, multimedia learning, and language learning. She has contributed to various studies on technology-enhanced learning and innovative teaching strategies. She actively participates in academic activities. Affiliation: Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Malaysia.
Email: marene@graduate.utm.my; ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-7634-5736
Kew Si Na is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. Her research focuses on technology-enhanced language learning (TELL), learning analytics, and online teaching and learning. She has published extensively on English language education and digital pedagogical strategies. She won the Young Scholar Award in 2024.
Affiliation: Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Malaysia. Email: snkew@utm.my;
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6648-6806
Lain-Tze Tee serves as a senior lecturer at the Faculty of Economics and Management, The National University of Malaysia. His academic research interests include asset pricing, climate finance, international finance, governance and financial market development. Affiliation: Faculty of Economics and Management, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (The National University of Malaysia), Malaysia. Email: jrtee@ukm.edu.my; ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-1468-6332
Si-Roei Kew serves as a senior lecturer at the Faculty of Economics and Management, The National University of Malaysia. Her academic research interests include market efficiency, climate finance, governance, financial market development and international finance. Affiliation: Faculty of Economics and Management, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (The National University of Malaysia), Malaysia. Email: srkew@ukm.edu.my; ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-1342-9374