Efl students’perceptions of online english language learning at an giang university during covid-19 pandemic: Opportunities and challenges

Abstract

The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has compelled education institutions to enact numerous adaptations. An Giang University (AGU), like other tertiary institutions, shifted entirely to online education, including English language education. This rapid transformation continues to profoundly impact English teaching and learning, even after the pandemic is contained. However, little research has been conducted to determine how far students studying English as a foreign language (EFL) experienced the opportunities and challenges of online English language learning. To address this gap, the study investigates the students’ perceptions of the opportunities and challenges of online English language learning at AGU during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected using in-depth interviews with eight students. The results indicated that online education afforded AGU EFL students a wide range of opportunities, including increased confidence levels, the opportunities of social interaction, flexible online learning mode and improved English and improved IT skills. The students, on the other hand, encountered a number of challenges, consisting of issues with their physical health, procrastination, distractions from their learning environment, technological challenges, and testing and assessment difficulties. The findings had important implications for both students who want to succeed at online English language learning and instructors and educators who create and conduct online courses. The findings also provided insights into how online English language education is implemented.