The relationship between EFL learners’ learning style preferences and their satisfaction with online education
Subject Areas : Journal of Studies in Learning and Teaching English
Alireza Tayebi
1
(Department of Foreign Languages, Shiraz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, Iran)
Mohammad Javad Riasati
2
(Department of Foreign Languages, Shiraz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, Iran)
Keywords: EFL Learner’s Satisfaction, Online education, Iranian EFL learners, learning style,
Abstract :
This study was an attempt to investigate to what extent Iranian EFL learners are satisfied with online education. It also aimed at exploring which type of learning style is more associated with learners’ satisfaction with online education. Further, it sought if EFL learners’ perceptual style preferences modify their satisfaction with online education. To this end, 104 EFL learners from three English Language institutes in Shiraz (61 females and 43 males) with the age range from 13 to 25 were selected through convenience sampling. The Learning Style Questionnaire and the questionnaire on learners’ satisfaction with online education were utilized as the instruments of the study. The data obtained from the two questionnaires were analyzed quantitatively utilizing the descriptive and inferential statistics. Means and standard deviations, as well as the Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient and the One-way ANOVA, were run to analyze the data. The results demonstrated that although EFL learners were not satisfied with the internet quality, they were satisfied with online education in general, and four dimensions of online education namely instructor, course, technology, and environment. The results showed that among the three learning styles, the visual learning style was more associated with learners’ satisfaction with online education. Moreover, based on the results, compared with the learners with kinesthetic style, learners with visual learning style were more satisfied with online education. Finally, the pedagogical implications of the study for language teachers, administrators, syllabus designers, and curriculum developers were listed.