Experimental study comparing face-to-face and online teaching / learning of an English subject

Abstract

This is an experimental comparative study to ascertain the possible existence of differences in the achievement levels of two groups of university students who studied the same English subject, English for Tourism, with an intermediate level, during the same semester and with the same teacher. One of the groups followed a face-to-face method, whereas the other followed an online one. The quantitative research was carried out through some initial and final tests which determined the level achieved in each communicative skill. These were complemented with two qualitative research instruments, a questionnaire filled in by the students and two diaries written by the teacher describing the implementation of both subjects. The findings show that the on-line group achieved better results in the written interaction and listening skills and similar results in the other skills.