A review of studies on flipped classroom model in EFL context: Benefits, challenges and strategies

Abstract

The Flipped Classroom model is increasingly popular in English as a Foreign Language teaching and learning due to technological advancements and their pedagogical applications. It reverses traditional classrooms by providing pre-learning content, allowing for more interactive activities during in-class sessions. However, implementation issues pose significant challenges. This paper aims to review recent studies on the FCM, summarize its key benefits, challenges and strategies, and propose potential areas for future research. In total, 16 articles selected from Google Scholar were reviewed and analyzed. By examining the perspectives of teachers’ pedagogical approaches and students’ learning experiences both inside the classroom environment as well as outside, the main findings of this paper are: 1) the advantages of the flipped approach include teaching effectiveness, inclass and after-class engagement, improving learning abilities and fostering learning motivation and autonomy; 2) main barriers to successful implementation include increased workload, technological barriers and adaptability challenge; and 3) strategies are available such as combining with the conventional model, adopting the approach in specific learning areas, offering specific training and necessary facilities to instructors, design of learning materials, and the use of equipment aids and teacher and student initiative. The findings of this review provide an overview of the positive effects, practical challenges and possible strategies for incorporating the FCM in EFL instructions, offering recommendations for future research and development in this area.