The Effectiveness of the Blended Learning in Enhancing EFL Learning and Collaboration

Abstract

This descriptive-analytical study investigates undergraduates' perceptions and reflections toward adopting the Blended-Learning system in the university instructions. For this goal, the study employed two tools to collect data. Firstly, a) (n=38) pre-service teachers wrote reflection essays, and b) Google forms closed-ended five scales' questionnaire investigated the academic and interaction indicators, each consisting of thirty items, distributed among (n=110) pre-service teachers. The participants were majoring in English as a Foreign language at multi-stages, Saudi Arabia, 2020/2021. The study employed the content and the SPSS analysis. The questionnaire's results showed the undergraduates' positive perceptions toward combining online and face-to-face learning and how this environment improved their learning outcomes, created a collaborative community, fostered openness for sharing, asking, expressing, and getting talk-worthy ideas. The essays' content analysis reflected the undergraduates' experiences and how they enjoyed transitioning between online and face-to-face learning; they were satisfied by the ability to track their scores. These results created a continuous feedback loop correlated with their academic progress through various activities. However, they encountered a few challenges in online classes like a) missed face-to-face warm environment, b) lost attention, and c) missed instructors' nonverbal cues. Generalized, blended learning facilitated learners' knowledge by reducing education costs, distance, efforts, and time without reducing the students' benefits. The study recommends that the BL instructors have to show some enthusiasm and inspiration. The study proposes future research.