University Students' Foreign Language Learning Behaviours in the Online Environment

Abstract

Given that the COVID-19 pandemic has strongly impacted students' learning experiences, the present research aims to reveal some of the challenges brought by the online foreign language classes in higher education and to show a pattern of relationship exists between individual and contextual factors, and students' behaviours during these classes. The study was conducted in a university where foreign languages (FLs) are a compulsory part of the curriculum at the undergraduate level. The authors analysed individual differences, such as personality traits, FL learning motivation, out-of-class language learning, perceived usefulness of elearning platform resources, self-perceived FL proficiency, and FL grade as independent variables, and also measured FL enjoyment, FL anxiety, stressors that exist and coping behaviours as mediators. The integration of above-mentioned factors in the analysis of online learning can contribute to a better understanding of the learning process in this environment, to enhance students' positive behaviours, diminish the negative ones, and improve learning outcomes.