L2 learning online: Self-directed learning and gender influence in Indonesian university students

Adaninggar Septi Subekti

doi:10.21070/jees.v7i1.1427

Abstract

The present study was conducted to investigate Indonesian second language (L2) learners’ Self-Directed Learning (SDL) in English during the online classes due to the Covid-19 pandemic and to investigate whether there was a significant difference in SDL between female and male learners. As online learning is implemented nationwide in Indonesia due to the pandemic, it becomes paramount to investigate learners’ SDL, considered very critical in online learning settings where teachers' ability to check learners' progress is not as extensive as it is in the face-to-face mode of instruction. The participants of the study were 187 undergraduate students taking English for Academic Purposes (EAP) classes. Through the data obtained from the online questionnaire, the study found that learners, in general, reported a high level of SDL even though many of them still embraced procrastination behaviours and considered the pragmatic need to pass the EAP class more important than the actual L2 learning. It also found that there was no significant difference between female learners’ SDL and that of male learners. Based on the findings and analysis of the possible factors, possible contributions of the study are presented along with the possible limitations and suggested directions for future research in the field. HIGHLIGHTS:  Learners, in general, reported a high level of SDL. Despite that, many of them still embraced procrastination behaviours and considered the pragmatic need to pass the English for Academic Purposes class more important than the actual L2 learning.

Highlights

ISSN 2503 3492Received: 11st October 2021 Accepted: 27t hNovember 2021 Published:29th December 2021Citation: Subekti, A.S. (2021)
The fifteen courses, had a higher difficulty level than that of General English (GE) courses. In such a context, coupled with the online learning setting due to the Covid-19 pandemic, these English for Academic Purposes (EAP) learners’ levels of Self-Directed Learning (SDL) could play a vital part in their L2 learning
Questionnaire items on learners' SDL were adapted from The online instruction in these EAP classes was conducted in Ayyildiz's and Tarhan's (2015) Self-Directed Learning Skills various ways depending on the teachers and the departments

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Received: 11st October 2021 Accepted: 27t hNovember 2021 Published:29th December 2021. These learners have the skills to determine their learning goals and to select appropriate learning strategies They are able to distinguish between what is important and what is not, have good time management, and can monitor their ongoing achievements and to assess their study efficiency (Ayyildiz & Tarhan, 2015). Specific in the field of SDL, the gender aspect has been studied several times in different learning contexts (e.g.: Gokcearslan, 2017 in Turkey; Lee et al, 2017 in Hong Kong). This could indicate that albeit learners’ gender plays The present study’s participants were 187 Indonesian a role in L2 learning (MacIntyre et al, 2002), the relationship undergraduate students taking English for Academic Purposes between learners’ gender and their L2 learning was not really (EAP) in their respective departments at a private university in straightforward.

METHODS

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Participants Minimum Maximum Mean