EFL VIRTUAL LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS: PERCEPTION, CONCERNS AND CHALLENGES

Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) is a fad in the 21st century academic landscape. A number of studies found out that students perceive VLEs positively and that VLEs facilitate learning English as a Foreign Language (EFL) and provide an avenue for educators to extend a helping hand to their EFL students. Sustaining VLEs is not an easy task as it raises various concerns and challenges, particularly in the domain of EFL learning. This paper reports on the results of a qualitative study aimed to shed light on the stakeholders’ perception towards VLE as well as the significant concerns and challenges encountered by EFL lecturers and their students on their actual use of VLEs in a higher education institution. Furthermore, the study unveiled the practical tips to create efficient and effective VLEs, based on the suggestions of both the EFL students and their lecturers.