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A Qualitative Analysis of Students’ Reflections on the Current Use of Digital Media in Foreign Language Classes

Author

Listed:
  • Blanka Klimova

    (Department of Applied Linguistics, Faculty of Informatics and Management, University of Hradec Kralove, 500 03 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic)

  • Marcel Pikhart

    (Department of Applied Linguistics, Faculty of Informatics and Management, University of Hradec Kralove, 500 03 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic)

  • Anna Cierniak-Emerych

    (Department of Labour, Capital and Innovation, Faculty of Business and Management, Wroclaw University of Economics and Business, 53-345 Wrocław, Poland)

  • Szymon Dziuba

    (Department of Labour, Capital and Innovation, Faculty of Business and Management, Wroclaw University of Economics and Business, 53-345 Wrocław, Poland)

Abstract

Teaching and learning have radically changed in the COVID-19 era and highlighted many novel aspects of online teaching and learning. Based on a qualitative content analysis of central European university students’ responses, the aim of this study is to discuss their reflections on the use of digital media in foreign language classes during the COVID-19 pandemic. The key method of this qualitative study includes focus group interviews. The results reveal both advantages and disadvantages of online foreign language teaching and their impact on students’ second language (L2) acquisition. The positive aspects involve satisfaction with being able to study a foreign language from the comfort from their homes, avoidance of commuting to school, ample opportunities to review the learning material, or improvement of listening skills. On the contrary, the negative aspects included a striking lack of social contact in the form of face-to-face classes, absence of collaboration between the teacher and students and between the students themselves in order to share and build on their knowledge and experience, health issues associated with a frequent exposure to technologies, or a lack of possibility to develop speaking skills. In conclusion, the authors of this study provide several implications for teaching practice, technology experts, and other stakeholders, which must be considered very seriously, as they represent the opinion of the users of online learning.

Suggested Citation

  • Blanka Klimova & Marcel Pikhart & Anna Cierniak-Emerych & Szymon Dziuba, 2021. "A Qualitative Analysis of Students’ Reflections on the Current Use of Digital Media in Foreign Language Classes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-11, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:16:p:9082-:d:613855
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Maria-Anca Maican & Elena Cocoradă, 2021. "Online Foreign Language Learning in Higher Education and Its Correlates during the COVID-19 Pandemic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-21, January.
    2. Fernando Ferri & Patrizia Grifoni & Tiziana Guzzo, 2020. "Online Learning and Emergency Remote Teaching: Opportunities and Challenges in Emergency Situations," Societies, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-18, November.
    3. Carlos Peñarrubia-Lozano & Manuel Segura-Berges & Manuel Lizalde-Gil & Juan Carlos Bustamante, 2021. "A Qualitative Analysis of Implementing E-Learning during the COVID-19 Lockdown," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-28, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Milena Buric & Milijana Novovic Buric & Andjela Jaksic Stojanovic & Ljiljana Kascelan & Dragica Zugić, 2022. "Sustainability of Online Teaching: The Case Study Mother Tongue Spelling Course at Montenegrin Universities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-27, October.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    second language acquisition; L2 acquisition; online learning; higher education; language education; applied linguistics;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L2 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior

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