VietTESOL International Convention 2026

This research investigated how EFL students of a private university in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, expressed their identities in EFL creative writing on digital platforms. Although research on EFL learning have discussed the use of digital platforms in language learning, they did not explore students’ identities in creative writing in the digital era. This qualitative research involved eighteen sixth-semester students from two creative writing classes. The study observed students’ creative writing, namely short stories and poems that were uploaded on various digital platforms of their choices. The research also analyzed students’ answers to the questionnaire to unveil their inspiration, intentions, and reasons for writing on the chosen digital platform. There are four main findings that cover students’ creative writing topics, writing resources, writing intentions, and social media platforms that are mostly used. The first revealed that the topics mostly discussed were how technological advancement was used for power abuse and developing the culture that endangered the environment. Next, students’ EFL creative writing were inspired by their experiences, observation, and other creative works related to students’ background. The third, the writing purposes were to raise awareness of the environmental conditions, express emotions, and affirm their cultural belongingness. Finally, the chosen digital platforms, namely Instagram, TikTok, X, Medium, and Wattpad were chosen to reflect students’ identities. To conclude, EFL Creative Writing in digital platforms enabled students to express their ideas and feelings without getting any judgement from others while at the same time negotiating, embracing, and confirming their new identities.