The impact of E-learning on improving Iranian EFL learners’ language skills: decreasing learning anxiety

Abstract

Multimedia materials in the English classroom play a novel role in language learning. The report presents the advantages of the e-learning and its role in enhancing “English Foreign language” (EFL) students’ language skills and independent learning. An already running and established virtual learning environment, namely the e-learning, was used successfully in the Azad University in Iran. Participants in this study were of EFL (English as a Foreign language) university students majoring in computer engineering and IT (information technology). A pretest and posttest included listening, reading comprehension and grammatical points contain multiple choices, fill in the blank, substitution, written form. Two classes were randomly selected as a control group and experimental group in the study. The different activities and resources that were provided by e-learning have been described with an analysis of how they can be used to develop EFL students’ language proficiency and independent learning. The purpose of this study was to expose a group of Iranian students to an e-learning program and find out the effects of this exposure on their learning skills. The study conducted claims to identify and understand the relationship between multimedia techniques in language teaching and learners’ language learning. Its results also suggest that a multimedia environment can reduce student anxiety and provide a less stressful classroom environment. Put otherwise, multimedia tools enable English teachers to help students to both improve their English performance and lower their language anxiety. Keywords: CALL; E-Learning; English as a Foreign Language ( EFL ); Scaffolding