Despite numerous studies on the sudden need to switch from conventional classroom-based education to e-learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, general agreement on the method’s efficacy, advantages, disadvantages, challenges, and opportunities has not yet been reached. Investigating the perspectives of a wide range of teachers on this subject is therefore important. This study investigates the perspectives of English language teachers who use the Madrasati online teaching platform in secondary and intermediate schools. Its data was gathered via a questionnaire survey which was distributed to 24 male and female teachers. The findings showed that, while most teachers’ initial response to online learning was negative, over time, their views became more positive. The teachers reported that the Madrasati platform built pupils’ independence and provided major advantages to the educational system. It made marking homework faster and more efficient and facilitated communication with school administrators and pupils’ parents and helped the personal development of teachers and pupils. The study found that the Madrasati platform provided opportunities for self-education, learner autonomy, and acquiring English outside the conventional face-to-face classrooms which can be built upon.

This study investigates the perceptions of 149 English language students about online language learning at a state university in Saudi Arabia and how this experience has prepared them to continue online learning in post-pandemic times. It also investigates any differences in students’ attainment of the four language skills of reading, listening, writing, and speaking with respect to the online learning experience. Data were collected using a questionnaire with close-ended items with each item having an open-ended query. The findings of the study indicate that, overall, the students had positive attitudes toward learning English online whether during the pandemic or after it is over. However, their views differed regarding the acquisition of the four language skills; learning the receptive skills of reading and listening online was perceived positively, while learning the productive skills of writing and speaking online was perceived negatively as a result of the online learning mode. The study concludes that more advanced technical features are needed to be introduced onto online learning platforms for more effective learning outcomes and that the current platforms at universities fall somewhat short of the English language students’ needs.