Challenges in Implementing E-Learning in the Language Education Context: Case Study at an English Education Department in Indonesia

Abstract

At present, the world of education including the sector of English language teaching, has been witnessing the massive development of information technology and using it as a means of improving the effectiveness of the teaching and learning process. Studies confirm that e-learning improves students’ learning achievement. However, despite several benefits offered by e-learning, many lecturers and students still encounter obstacles and difficulties. This research aimed to explore the challenges faced by English education lecturers and students at an English Education Department in a private university in Yogyakarta in using e-learning. This study used a qualitative method. Case study was employed as a strategy of inquiry. Five lecturers and 20 students were recruited as research participants. The interview was deployed as a strategy to collect data from the lecturers and focus group discussions would be utilized to gather information from students. In addition to interviews and focus group discussions, this research also employed document analysis as the strategy to collect the data. The data revealed that the challenges faced by lecturers and students of English education department in implementing learning included cognitive, metacognitive as well as learning styles and preferences challenges. Several strategies to overcome the challenges in the e-learning implementation were proposed by the participants, namely rehearsal, selection, rehearsal and comprehension, learning plan, preparation, evaluation, goal setting, self-management, time management, self-evaluation and synchronous online learning. Keywords—e-learning, English language Teaching, information technology