LEARNING GREEK AS A SECOND/FOREIGN LANGUAGE BY DISTANCE: STUDENTS’ VOICES

Sažetak

The aim of this research is to investigate the advantages, challenges and effectiveness of distance learning in teaching Greek as a second/foreign language (L2). In particular, it examines the advantages of distance learning as perceived by students who learn Greek as an L2. Moreover, this paper explores the difficulties that these Greek language students face during the lessons, as well as whether distance learning is as effective as face-to-face learning. The researchers employed a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative techniques in order to triangulate the research findings. Under this concept, they used an online questionnaire completed by 143 students of Greek as L2 and conducted semi-structured online interviews with 5 students who were taught Greek as L2. The results of the research indicate that the students who learn Greek through distance education identify that the most important reason for choosing it is the flexibility in their daily schedules that online courses offer (47.6%). In addition, the biggest disadvantage of learning a language through distance education is that students are physically distant from their teacher and their classmates, too (31%). Concerning the perceived effectiveness between distance and face-to-face teaching, the students stated that they prefer online courses, because they can attend lessons at any time and from any place (97.6%).