Student´s and teacher´s perceptions towards EFL virtual instruction

Abstract

Abstract: This research focuses on studying the perceptions of students and teachers regarding online instruction in English as a foreign language, with the aim of identifying the difficulties they face in this process. The study was conducted in an educational institution in the city of Loja, where a sample of 25 second-year high school students, their parents, and the English teacher were considered. The method employed has a mixed-methods approach, where quantitative data were obtained through surveys and qualitative data through interviews. The analysis considered factors such as environment, feedback, interaction, materials, and tasks, referring to the difficulties and perceptions of the respondents. In general, the results indicate that the respondents perceive online instruction in the EFL context as a complex process that has affected the efficiency of English learning. However, the study also highlights the need to improve development in terms of time for tasks, feedback, materials, motivation, and greater support for digital platforms.