University-Level EFL Students' Views on Learning English Online: A Qualitative Study

Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: [email protected]; Web site: https://link.springer.com/

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27

English (Second Language); Second Language Learning; Second Language Instruction; Distance Education; In Person Learning; Student Attitudes; Negative Attitudes; Interpersonal Relationship; Social Isolation; Anxiety; Language Usage; Online Courses; COVID-19; Pandemics; Foreign Countries; Positive Attitudes; Shyness; Teaching Methods; Learning Motivation; Cognitive Style; Instructional Effectiveness

10.1007/s10639-022-11155-9

1360-2357
1573-7608

The main aim of this article is to determine Turkish EFL (English as a foreign language) students' perceptions about learning English through distance education (henceforth DE) during the COVID-19 pandemic. To realize this aim, the study adopted a qualitative research design and used the metaphor elicitation technique, semi-structured telephone interviews, and an online focus group interview to collect data. The results of the analysis show that most of the students prefer face-to-face English education in a classroom setting rather than online education. Despite some positive comments about DE like it being more comfortable for shy students, students' attitudes toward DE were found to be mostly negative because of the challenges they faced like technical problems, health and focus issues, a lack of interaction and speaking practice in the target language, feelings of anxiety and isolation and low motivation, and DE not addressing all learning styles effectively. Using several qualitative data collection tools, this study provides valuable insights into the thoughts and experiences of students about online English language learning, which can be taken into account to enhance future online language teaching and learning efforts. This study also offers some suggestions to make online EFL education more productive and effective.

As Provided

2023

EJ1363886