ONLINE LEARNING: THROUGH THE LENS OF THE FIRST-YEAR ENGLISH MAJORS

English Language Education/English Language Teaching

This study aimed to explore the experiences encountered by first-year college English major students in online learning. Specifically, ten students of Davao de Oro State College-Main Campus were selected for the in-depth interview. It was revealed that the experiences of the first-year English majors with online learning were having difficulty to adjust, unstable internet connection and too many tasks. It was also revealed that the ways in which online learning provided help were developing students’ skills, easy access in the internet, interaction not limited and getting updated with lessons. The challenges when taking an online English class were different from regular physical class, lowers self-confidence, adjustment on online class, bombarded with school works, difficulty in managing screen time, struggled with internet connection, noise barriers and availability of gadgets. Meanwhile, it was confided that the challenges English major students faced were not fluent in the English language, too many essays to write, having hard time to understand assigned tasks, meeting deadlines, difficulties in comprehending the lessons. The coping strategies employed with the challenges of online learning were borrow cellphones from others, proper time management, self-assessment, adapt to changes, always take notes, use google for additional information and having positive mindset. The ways in handling difficulty encountered in online learning were proper time management, motivate self, having positive mindset and venting out schoolwork problems to others. Intervention programs for an effective online English learning were mental health breaks, group projects, provide engaging activities, English language instruction program, provide instructional videos and some answered that they never experienced any intervention programs. The most effective intervention programs were seminars related to English program, debates, mentoring, adapting to changes, mental health breaks, learning through interaction, teaching language across curriculum, instructional videos. Some of the ways intervention program could improve online learning and engagement between students and instructors were improving learning were developing interaction between students and teacher, making students comfortable in learning, having hard time in online learning, building peer connection, developing language skills and improving academic skills.

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