Zoom Sessions in Distant Learning: Algerian EFL Students’ Perceptions and Attitudes

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, when classroom instructions are interrupted, teachers and students approach digitalization and become familiar with web conferencing. The present research aims to examine Algerian EFL students’ motivation about the use of Zoom, as an asynchronous learning approach, to help ‘bridge the gaps’, and cope with the changes they encounter while exploring online learning. As such, the main questions that set the study are: How academically appropriate is the Zoom’s integration for enhancing EFL students’ motivation? How can the perceived obstacles be challenged for the proper integration of Zoom? To answer these problematic questions, the researcher conducted a case study with twenty EFL students at Oran university of Algeria. Informal, structured interviews and semi-structured questionnaires were employed. This study concluded that participant students have overall positive perspectives about using Zoom sessions with some limitations. Training students to use ICTs and developing positive perceptions about using online educational platforms and applications were the main recommendations for using zoom classes.