Implementing Blended Learning in High School EFL Setting: ACloser Look into Students’ Viewpoints

Blended learning, which is a combination of traditional and online learning, has attracted the attention of researchers due to its perceived effectiveness in many ways including providing flexible learning, educational diversity, social interaction, and enabling revision for students in foreign language learning. To this end, this study aimed to investigate high school EFL students’ viewpoints on the efficacy of blended learning in enhancing their language skills, providing feedback as well as its benefits and challenges. It also examines students' preferences and suggestions for better implementation of blended learning. EBA (Education Informatics Network), which is utilized as a learning management system in Turkish state schools, was incorporated into the traditional learning environment for eight weeks during the deployment of blended learning. This study involved students from a state high school in Türkiye, and the participants were chosen by using a convenience sampling method. A phenomenological method was adopted in this research, and the target data was collected from 16 students through semi-structured interviews. This qualitative data was analysed via content analysis in the MAXQDA software. According to the data, students believed that blended learning helped them increase their vocabulary the most. The input they received via the EBA portal was recognized by students as allowing for improved learning as well as enhancing motivation and engagement. Furthermore, students noted providing reinforcement, learning outside of the classroom, and enhancing language skills as the positive aspects of blended learning. As for the challenges, technical issues, a shortage of speaking activities, internet-related problems, and a lack of variety in the activities were mentioned by students. Students recommended solutions to technical issues with the EBA, the addition of both variety and more enjoyable types of activities, the inclusion of speaking activities and a feedback system, the establishment of computer labs for students, and the reduction in the duration of some lengthy videos to overcome these challenges.