An Evaluation of An English Language Course Given via Distance Education

Abstract

Distance education has turned into the only option for many all over the world with the unexpected Covid-19 pandemic. In the Turkish higher education system, it is frequently used for the 5i English courses. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the English Course given at a state university in Istanbul via distance education based on the perceptions of the students. This is a descriptive study conducted with 121 freshmen during the 2018-2019 academic year. The data were collected via the Scale of English Language Course Curriculum Conducted by Distance Education and analyzed via SPSS software. The findings have revealed that the students are content with their experience of distance English course. Moreover, they are pleased with the process at most and there is rather less satisfaction with the context, input, and product of the course. Still, the majority find face-to-face language instruction as a more satisfactory mode of learning. This study has revealed a moderate satisfaction with the distance English course in general and the main source of this satisfaction has been identified as the course instructors. Therefore, instructors need to be supported in their preparation for distance education courses with trainings and rich materials. Moreover, the students find the course less efficient to develop writing and speaking and need a direct contact with the instructors at times. So, these courses should be designed to focus on productive skills more and to include some face-to-face or synchronous sessions regularly along with the distance education classes.