E-learning and the TESL Classroom: Students’ Perspectives

Abstract

This paper is a study on the importance placed on e-learning in the TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language) classroom. Due to the vast amount of creative technology and the availability of it, most TESL instructors are placing a great deal of importance on e-learning. However, most often the students are not given an opportunity to voice their opinion on whether the activities they do are successful or not. Most researchers question the instructor and conclude that it is a successful plan to use e-learning in the TESL classroom because it is at tertiary level. However, this research would highlight the students’ perspective and would attempt to answer the research question whether or not students think e-learning is successful. The unique perspectives of students from the University of Kelaniya and their voice will be highlighted in this paper. The primary data for this research is obtained from the first and second year students of the Science, Commerce, Humanities and Social Sciences Faculties of the University of Kelaniya since they have been exposed to e-learning at the ELTU in their first year or through the Pre-Orientation Program. The main objective of this research is to question the importance placed on e-learning and to research and find out whether students feel the same way as most instructors or the authorities of tertiary institutes.