Blended Learning in ESL: Perceptions about paradigm shift in English Language Institutions of Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

Tremendous technological developments have revolutionized educational practices and experiences of English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers and learners at an unprecedented rate. One such educational development is termed as Blended Learning (BL). BL is the method of teaching and learning in which traditional place-based mode of instruction is combined with online teaching and learning. The online mode or environment of BL is not just asynchronous web-enhanced method of delivery of contents rather it also involves synchronous interactions between the teachers and learners via audio and/or video conferencing and cloud-based online meeting apps. Instruction, learning materials and assessment is accessible for learners in traditional face-to-face as well as in online environments. Present study aims to explore ESL learners’ perceptions of BL. Questionnaires were used to gather data to examine 282 ESL learners’ attitudes toward BL. These ESL learners were enrolled in ESL courses in different public and private institutes of Punjab, Pakistan. The descriptive analysis of the data revealed that most of the students have positive attitude towards BL and they found it helpful in English language learning. Based on the results descriptively drawn from the responses of the subjects of the current study, conclusions are drawn, and recommendations have been offered.