Foreign Language Learners’ Preference of E-leaming Methods: an Empirical Study

Abstract

During the outbreak of coronavirus, four e-learning methods are frequently adopted by the English teachers of Xinhua Colleges in an online-only education, that is, video conferencing (Method 1), using self-recorded videos (Method 2), the courses posted on MOOC platform (Method 3), and electronic materials made by native speakers (Method 4). This study empirically investigated the foreign language learners’ preference of e-learning methods and the factors influencing their preference. Students have a preference for Method 2 in four courses (listening, reading, writing and translating) and Method 4 in the speaking course. Method 1 is the second most favorite and Method 3 is the least favorite in all the five courses. The factors influencing students’ preference are time, place, network quality, emotional attachment, students’ language proficiency and student-teacher interaction.