Preferred Learning Model in Studying English as a Foreign Language During Post-Pandemic Period: Blended Learning, Online Learning, or Face to Face?

Abstract

Objective: Before and During the Covid-19 pandemic, students in Indonesia experienced face to face learning, online learning, and blended learning. Since the students have experienced those three learning models, this study was conducted to investigate the learning model that is preferred by the students during post-pandemic period and identify the reasons why they chose a particular learning model in learning English as a foreign language context.   Method: To achieve that research objective, this study was conducted by following a mixed-methods study method, the sequential explanatory design. The researchers started this study by collecting the quantitative data to identify the learning models preferred by the university students in Bali when they have an English class during post-pandemic period. Then, it was followed by collecting qualitative data to explain why the students preferred a certain learning model for the English class. The respondents of the study were 100 lecturers and 200 university students. The researchers collected the study data through questionnaires and interviews. The questionnaires were delivered using Google Forms, and the interviews via Google Meet.   Results and Discussion: The study reveals that most lecturers and students preferred the blended learning model to teach and learn English. In general, the selection of the learning model preferred by the lecturers and students was influenced by educational and health factors. Therefore, it can be concluded that the students’ preference on selecting a learning model is not influence by the educational reasons only.   Research Implications: Face to face instruction is crucial in an education process, because a real teacher-student interaction will happen through face to face instruction. Thus, blended learning is more preferable by the students than e-learning.   Originality/Value: Previous studies on blended in Indonesia were conducted to reveal the effectiveness of blended learning education for the broader use of blended learning in modern learning. Only a few studies were conducted to reveal their effectiveness in limited face-to-face learning during the post-pandemic of Covid-19. Therefore, this study mainly focused on investigating the effectiveness of blended learning during the implementation of limited-face to-face learning in Indonesia during the post-pandemic of the covid-19 pandemic. This study was necessary because the findings can guide educators to develop a more effective learning environment.