The challenges and potentials of using digital learning to support speaking skills during the covid-19 pandemic

Abstract

Following the global pandemic of Covid-19, the educational setting in Malaysia has changed drastically. During the pandemic, ESL teachers must teach all four skills utilising their creativity and experience, using CEFR-aligned material as a guide. Despite the obstacles that both teachers and students face, all skills are given equal weight. The issue is how ESL teachers use various kinds of technologies to support speaking skills. While there is a lot of study on Covid-19 and digital learning, there is not much on the problems and opportunities of using digital learning to support speaking skills in the classroom. As a result, the obstacles and potentials of digital learning must be further studied so that the transition from a traditional classroom to digital learning can be achieved successfully. The design of this study was a phenomenological approach. It walked through the investigation of a phenomenon within a specific context, the Covid-19 pandemic. In this respect, 51 ESL teachers took part in answering a questionnaire. For the interviews, the sample size was small where 4 respondents involved to obtain in-depth views of the issues. It can be concluded that teachers are pleased with their online learning experiences. It also suggests that utilising digital tools to develop speaking skills has potential. However, as these teachers are still learning how to use the tools, a few points should be highlighted. Looking at the challenges, ESL teachers face similar issues where there are alternatives taken by these teachers to overcome them. Teachers must be able to equip themselves with adaptability, creativity, efforts, and proper planning to support students in learning speaking skills.