EFL Students’ Perception of Extensive Reading through MALL during the Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

There has been growing interest in the study of extensive reading in this decade, especially in the area of students' responses by using mobile-assisted language learning (MALL). However, of those studies, only a few explored the effects of assisted learning from the students' internal lens. To fill the gap, this study investigates the students' perceptions of implementing extensive reading through mobile-assisted language learning (MALL) during the Covid-19 pandemic viewed from an internal perspective. The subjects were students' batch 2019 at English Language Study Program at Lambung Mangkurat University. The researchers used purposive sampling to select 20 students based on specific criteria. The study used a qualitative approach that focused on a case study. The instruments were semi-structured interviews. The interview data were interpreted in narration. Based on the findings, students positively perceive implementing extensive reading through MALL during the Covid-19 pandemic. It was discovered four themes involve enhancement of self-students motivations, encouragement of students' feelings, fulfilling their language needs, and reflecting students' perspectives. This study calls for the inclusion of students to read extensively using mobile devices as a good learning strategy to improve their Language skills. However, they must find ways to overcome the challenges