A Qualitative Study of Faculty Members’ Perceptions of Their Role in Enhancing Learners’ Engagement in EFL Online Classes

Abstract

Teaching English as a Foreign Language (EFL) online presents substantial obstacles in terms of fostering learners’ participation during lectures. To facilitate the use and practice of the language by English learners and to effectively administer classrooms, it is crucial to investigate the roles of faculty members. The purpose of this study is to examine faculty members’ perspectives on their role in promoting student engagement and participation in online English classes. The researcher employed a qualitative research methodology to collect data, which involved document analysis and conducting interviews with faculty members at Umm Al-Qura University. The findings of the investigation suggest that the primary responsibility of the faculty members is to cultivate relationships with students, facilitate their ability to confront learning obstacles and increase their involvement in the educational process. Additionally, the implementation of flipped classrooms to facilitate student engagement during lectures is another critical consequence of effective roles. The present study’s findings indicate that EFL instructors prioritize students’ interests by providing options that are consistent with them and encouraging interaction during the learning process. Faculty members implement strategies like collaborative learning and communicative techniques to support learners’ engagement and facilitate profound learning experiences. The study’s conclusions emphasized the importance of effective classroom administration, appropriate instruction, enhanced interaction with learners, and the use of English as the primary language in the classroom. The analysis revealed that interactive curricula, student support, and video contact with students are excellent methods for improving learner engagement. The investigation emphasized the importance of faculty members in creating a dynamic online learning environment, the need for building relationships with students, and the requirement for pedagogical training to enhance the effectiveness of online EFL instruction and boost learner engagement.