THE CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS TOWARDS HIGH-QUALIFIED ENGLISH STUDIES PROGRAM STUDENTS EXPERIENCED ONLINE LEARNING AMIDST CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC - A CASE AT CAN THO UNIVERSITY, VIETNAM

Authors

  • Nguyen Thi Huynh Nhu BA Candidate in High-qualified English Studies Program, School of Foreign Languages, Can Tho University, Can Tho City, Vietnam
  • Thai Cong Dan Senior Lecturer, Dr., School of Social Sciences and Humanities, Can Tho University, Can Tho City, Vietnam

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejals.v4i2.332

Keywords:

challenges, suggestions, a High-Qualified English studies program, the School of Foreign Languages, Can Tho University, the Zoom application

Abstract

The pandemic of the COVID-19 forced the Vietnamese government to adjust its policies for the entire educational institution from conventional classrooms to virtual learning against the contagious pandemic. The study aims at examining the challenges faced by students and proposing several solutions from a High-Qualified English studies program during online learning amid Coronavirus. The researcher used quantitative and qualitative methods by using a questionnaire and conducting an interview via the Zoom application. Participants consist of one hundred sixty students from a High-Qualified English studies program, and ten interviewees who are fourth-year students at the School of Foreign Languages, Can Tho University. Findings show that the percentage of participants disclosed desirable viewpoints of the conventional classrooms compared to the virtual classrooms. In addition, students were highly contended with feedback and the clarity of teachers for tough questions and using sufficient resources. In contrast, participants claimed that they witnessed the considerable challenges and assumed that Zoom and Microsoft Teams were the two applications hindering students’ access. Noticeably, students encountered several five main challenges. Specifically, the difficulties in technology and connectivity students using incompatible devices and weak internet coverage. In terms of the economic problems, they had to buy high degree of data packages. Also, the psychological issues related to the considerable decrease in motivation, interaction, distractions, or shying of turning on their camera, and health issues in terms of eye strains and headaches while implementing online learning in the long run. However, participants revealed a positive learning attitude towards their online learning process by proposing diverse solutions regarding enhancing the interaction among teachers and students, being fully equipped in literacy skills, and using diverse video conferencing platforms. Also, teachers can reduce learning time by giving break time to avoid several physical issues such as eyes training, and headaches. Also, teachers can create tremendous workshops or seminars sharing where students can share their virtual learning experiences and manipulate diverse digital applications. Moreover, teachers can design vivid videos and diverse content materials which attract learners' attention. This study hopes to help students gain a positive outlook on the importance of online learning, and help teachers understand students' perceptions during their online learning process. Finally, the researcher gives several recommendations for further research.

 

Author Biographies

  • Nguyen Thi Huynh Nhu, BA Candidate in High-qualified English Studies Program, School of Foreign Languages, Can Tho University, Can Tho City, Vietnam

    Nguyen Thi Huynh Nhu, a senior in high-qualified English studies program, School of Foreign Languages, Can Tho University, Vietnam, will graduate in June 2022. She will work as a teacher of English, a translator and an interpreter. She can be reached at nhub1808701@student.ctu.edu.vn.

  • Thai Cong Dan, Senior Lecturer, Dr., School of Social Sciences and Humanities, Can Tho University, Can Tho City, Vietnam

    Mr. Thai Cong Dan, Dean of School of Social Sciences & Humanities (SSSH), Can Tho University (CTU), Vietnam, is currently a lecturer in English. He has held his PhD at Naresuan University, Thailand since 2010 in Educational Administration (English program). His main research interests are TEF/TESOL issues, intercultural communication, high school and higher education levels in English learning and teaching, English program management, curriculum design, testing and evaluation and professional development. He can be reached at tcdan@ctu.edu.vn.

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Published

2022-05-14

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 2 (2022)

Section

Articles

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