A Case Study of ESL Students’ Remote Speaking Class Learning Experiences in a Canada University During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic forced a transfer from face-to-face (F2F) learning to remote online learning in universities worldwide. A university in southern Ontario delivered English courses to language learners living globally. This study, adopting a photo-production visual method, explored four English as a second language (ESL) students’ perceptions of this online learning compared to typical F2F learning and investigated activities enabling speaking opportunities and students’ expectations for online learning. The results showed that students perceived minor differences between online learning and F2F learning, including a non-academic English environment, a sense of community, and instant communications. The learning process involved interactive and collaborative discussions and presentations that allow students’ speaking opportunities. The online discussions contributed to students’ confidence but lacked adequate feedback towards students’ speaking skills. Students expected more types of learning activities that contribute to collaborations among peers, a sense of belonging to the online community, and examination orientated English skills.