Virtual classrooms engagement among Jordanian EFL students during the pandemic of COVID-19 period

Abstract

Engagement is an essential aspect of the learning process. To attain academic success, students must always be engaged. Because of the epidemic’s global spread, most learning has been moved online. Traditional students today face a new challenge with the proliferation of online education. This abrupt adjustment may impact their learning behaviour and willingness to embrace change. Consequently, their enthusiasm for studying may decrease dramatically. During COVID-19, this study investigated the level of engagement among Jordanian EFL students in their virtual classrooms. A “student course engagement questionnaire” was administered to 602 Jordanian EFL university students (males = 323, females = 297). The results showed that Jordanian EFL Students generally had a moderate engagement level during the epidemic. While skills, emotional, and interaction engagement factors received a moderate level of engagement, only the performance factor received a high engagement level. Fewer than one-quarter of Jordanian EFL students acknowledged dissatisfaction with their virtual English classes, whereas the highest percentage reported being somewhat satisfied. The study’s sample perceptions towards their engagement level were statistically significant due to their gender and university level. The presence of a teacher adds substantially to the development of interactive engagement communities and, as a result, the improvement of students’ language skills. When the teacher’s role is creatively played, a constant teacher-student interaction arises. These findings were taken into consideration when providing limitations and recommendations.