Attitudes and challenges towards virtual classes in learning english language courses from students' perspectives at taibah university during covid-19 pandemic

Abstract

Educational institutions all over the world have shifted from conventional education to distance (online) learning system as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Identifying the advantages and disadvantages of online learning during the present pandemic can help the professors, educators, and educational experts in taking and adopting new appropriate decisions that match the students' needs in such difficult conditions. This study aimed at investigating the first year students’ attitudes towards virtual classes in learning English courses. It also aimed to identify the obstacles that encounter them while using this kind of learning. The sample of the study consisted of 336 students at Taibah University during the first semester of the academic year 2020/2021. A well-designed online questionnaire was used to collect data. Results revealed that students’ attitudes towards the use of the online learning were positive. Students considered this kind of learning as the best strategy during COVID-19 pandemic. The results also showed that the students faced some pedagogical, technical and personnel obstacles while attending virtual classes.