The Online EFL Learning Challenges in Ukrainian Tertiary Education

Authors

  • Oksana Nikolenko Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv
  • Maryna Rebenko Taras Schevchenko National University of Kyiv
  • Nataliia Doronina Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv
  • Victor Rebenko National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine

Keywords:

COVID-19 pandemic, EFL online learning, L2 performance development, students’ assessment, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv

Abstract

COVID-19 has challenged educators not only in Ukrainian universities but throughout the whole world to keep abreast with the rapid emergence of new technologies, adapt the education system to online needs,  and use blended learning as a necessity of the transformed education environment.

We carried out two case studies aimed at gauging the students’ perception, experience, and satisfaction level on the pandemic-induced online EFL learning via a Google Forms questionnaire in 2020-2021 a.y. and 2021-2022 a.y. at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv (Ukraine). The first case conducted a 16-question online survey, and an analysis unit was the responses of 112 first-year students studying English as L2 and majoring in Computer Science and Cybernetics at the University of Kyiv under the Coronavirus lockdown reality. The second case encompassed 80 respondents and was fulfilled through the same 16-question online survey under similar study conditions. The sample groups were undergraduate students of the same age (17-18 y. o.) and the English language level (B1+) enrolled in the university with similar admissions criteria, prerequisites, and curricula. The survey’s participation was voluntary and anonymous. The respondents gave feedback on three question categories: EFL online learning effectiveness, technical provision satisfaction, self-organization, and confidence level. The opinions were not fully homogeneous but the majority of Computer Science and Cybernetics undergraduates in both case studies pointed out that the online EFL course was effective. The first survey findings revealed that the first-year university learners had a predominately positive attitude towards online education, describing English lessons as well-structured and engaging.

Our second investigation demonstrated that apart from staff readiness, confidence, students’ Internet accessibility, and motivation, the undergraduates have indicated tiredness of online meetings, pointing out that they have a lack of live communication. The obtained study results can help in understanding EFL teachers how to continue teaching and learning during such unprecedented times and to ensure a high level of education, responding to the current students’ needs and priorities for successful online classes.

Author Biographies

Oksana Nikolenko, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv

Ph.D. in Philology (Germanic Languages), is an Associate Professor at the Educational and Scientific Institute of Philology, the Department of Foreign Languages for Mathematical Faculties, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Ukraine. She currently works out and accomplishes new strategies and approaches to teaching English at the Faculty of Computer Science and  Cybernetics. Her teaching areas are English for Specific Purposes for IT, Computer Science and Software Engineering students, and Academic English. She defended her dissertation for a Candidate Degree in Philology on the theme: “Nicknames in the English Language: Semantic, Structural, Social, Cultural Peculiarities in 2017”. Her scientific interests are onomasiology semasiology, psycholinguistics, cognitive linguistics, and linguistic conceptology, sociolinguistics, teaching methods of foreign languages.

ORCID ID: 0000-0002-0469-8376

Contact details: o.nikolenko@knu.ua, ok.nik1997@gmail.com, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Ukraine, Volodymyrska Str, 60, Kyiv, 01033, Ukraine.

Maryna Rebenko, Taras Schevchenko National University of Kyiv

Maryna Rebenko, Ph.D. in Philology (Translation Science), is an Associate Professor at the Educational and Scientific Institute of Philology, the Department of Foreign Languages for Mathematical Faculties, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Ukraine. She teaches English for junior students and English for Specific Purposes for senior students, including English for IT, Computer Science, and Software Engineering students.  Mrs. Rebenko is also engaged in teaching English to Ukrainian External Evaluation test-takers. She completed summer school programs on Foreign Language Teaching Development at the British Council and American House of Ukraine in 2016-18. Her professional fields of research are advanced methods of teaching, teacher identity development, students’ professional motivation improvement techniques, etc.

 ORCID ID: 0000-0001-8553-3559

Contact details: m.rebenko@knu.ua, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Ukraine,  Volodymyrska Str, 60, Kyiv, 01033, Ukraine.

Nataliia Doronina, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv

Doronina Nataliia, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor at the Foreign Languages Department for Mathematical Faculties, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Ukraine. Her research interests are new methods and modern approaches to teaching English for Special Purposes,  the history of Kyiv University, and the history of teaching philological disciplines at the Imperial University of St. Vladimir (1834-1917).  She has been doing research on online learning strategies and academic literacy during the pandemic of COVID-19 recently. 

Contact details: n.doronina@knu.ua, amalpheia@gmail.com, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Ukraine, Volodymyrska Str, 60, Kyiv, 01033, Ukraine.

 ORCID ID: 0000-0002-6834-725X

Victor Rebenko, National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine

Victor Rebenko is a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Associate Professor of the Mechanization of Livestock Department,  the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine. He teaches ESP courses for Mechanical Engineering Bachelor’s and Master’s students. His professional fields of interest are ESP for engineers, advanced methods of teaching, data analysis, and IT learning tools.

ORCID ID: 0000-0002-3370-3760

Contact details: victor.rebenko@gmail.com, National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine, Heroiv Oborony Str 15, Kyiv, 03041, Ukraine.

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Published

2023-04-10

How to Cite

Nikolenko, O. ., Rebenko, M. ., Doronina, . N., & Rebenko, V. (2023). The Online EFL Learning Challenges in Ukrainian Tertiary Education. Revista Romaneasca Pentru Educatie Multidimensionala, 15(2), 17-34. Retrieved from https://lumenpublishing.com/journals/index.php/rrem/article/view/6087

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 2 (2023): Revista Românească pentru Educaţie Multidimensională

Section

E-Learning and Software in Education

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