Unlocking online language education: Opportunities, challenges, and recommendations

Year 2024, , 158 - 179, 30.04.2024

Nur Gedik Bal

https://doi.org/10.19128/turje.1379149

Abstract

Advances in technology have significantly augmented the potential of online education, particularly during crises, such as COVID-19, earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods. This qualitative survey study ascertains 150 English-as-a-foreign language (EFL) learners' perceptions of the efficacy of online language education in a preparatory school of a state university after the Kahramanmaraş earthquake in Türkiye in 2023. Data were gathered via an online survey with open-ended inquiries to elicit favourable and adverse experiences and recommendations from students. In order to ensure the thorough and systematic analysis of the collected data, a rigorous methodological approach was employed. Specifically, the data were analyzed through content analysis, facilitated by the MAXQDA. The research outcomes revealed that the participants appreciated online language education for its time-saving nature, comfort, ease of attendance, access to recorded sessions, teacher support, and cost-effectiveness. However, some students also considered online education ineffective and reported challenges, such as technical issues, diminished concentration, lack of motivation and discipline, limited interaction, and class participation. EFL learners also provided suggestions for improving the curriculum, assessment methods, and instructors’ teaching approaches.

Keywords

Distance education, E-Learning, Online language education, Remote language learning

Ethical Statement

Certificate of ethics committee approval was received from the Ethics Committee of Social Sciences and Humanities Research from the university where the study was carried out

Çevrimiçi dil eğitiminin kilidini açmak: Fırsatlar, zorluklar ve öneriler

Abstract

Teknolojideki ilerlemeler, özellikle COVID-19, deprem, kasırga ve sel gibi krizler sırasında uzaktan eğitimin potansiyelini önemli ölçüde artırdı. Bu nitel anket çalışması, 2023 yılında Türkiye'de yaşanan Kahramanmaraş depreminden sonra bir devlet üniversitesinin hazırlık okulunda İngilizce’yi yabancı dil olarak öğrenen (İYD) 150 öğrencinin çevrimiçi dil eğitiminin etkinliğine ilişkin algılarını tespit etmektedir. Veriler, öğrencilerden olumlu ve olumsuz deneyimler ve tavsiyeler almak için açık uçlu sorular içeren çevrimiçi bir anket aracılığıyla toplandı. Toplanan verilerin kapsamlı ve sistematik analizini sağlamak için titiz bir metodolojik yaklaşım kullanıldı. Spesifik olarak veriler, MAXQDA'nın kolaylaştırdığı içerik analizi yoluyla titiz bir incelemeye tabi tutuldu. Araştırma sonuçları, katılımcıların çevrimiçi dil eğitimini zaman kazandıran yapısı, rahatlığı, katılım kolaylığı, kayıtlı oturumlara erişim, öğretmen desteği ve maliyet etkinliği nedeniyle takdir ettiğini ortaya çıkardı. Ancak birçok öğrenci de çevrimiçi eğitimin etkisiz olduğunu düşündü ve çevrimiçi eğitimin teknik sorunlar, azalan konsantrasyon, motivasyon ve disiplin eksikliği, sınırlı etkileşim ve derse katılım gibi zorlukları olduğunu bildirdi. İYD öğrencileri ayrıca müfredatın, değerlendirme yöntemlerinin ve eğitmenlerin öğretme yaklaşımlarının iyileştirilmesine yönelik önerilerde bulundu.

Keywords

Çevrimiçi dil eğitimi, E-Öğrenme, Uzaktan dil öğrenimi, Uzaktan eğitim

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