Exploring ESP Stakeholders’ Perceptions of the Newly Adopted Online Teaching and Learning Environments: The case of the Department of Economics at Ain Temouchent University

Abstract

Online learning is an important part of education and is claimed to offer unique benefits in the teaching and learning process. Although almost all the academic community uses online learning management systems as one of the facilities in teaching and learning, some people still believe that online classes will revolutionize the classroom. In This same line of thoughts research paper attempts to investigate teachers and students’ attitudes towards the integration of educational technologies and online learning in an English for Specific Purposes (ESP) classroom at Ain Temouchent University. The research was conducted in the Department of Economics. The data was carried through questionnaire directed to (100) Economic Master’ students, as well as, an interview to two (02) ESP teachers to explore their perceptions towards the implementation of online learning in the ESP course. The Results revealed that most of participants showed a negative attitude towards the use of online learning environment, where this new educational system faced many challenges and shortcoming , which comprised; absence of training and technical support from university regarding the use of online learning tools and platforms ,lack of students ‘motivation , and poor online course content that did not satisfy the needs of the learners .Teachers as well confirmed that online learning system did not add any addition in ESP teaching process , rather it negatively affected the students achievements. Finally, ESP teaching and learning at the Department of Economics needs more attention to achieve the desired objectives.