The EFL University Teachers’ Perspective Towards E-Learning and E-Examinations of Iraqi Undergraduate Students

Abstract

     This study aims to assess E-learning and E-examinations concerning teaching English as a Foreign Language (EFL) at university stage, as an action taken by the  Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in Iraq to ensure students’ learning continuity in Iraqi institutions since the academic year 2019-2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study was limited to find out the perspectives of EFL teachers at university stage in two colleges, the college of Basic Education     ( state college) and Bilad AlRafidain University college (private college) in Diyala Governorate. This study aims to find answers to two questions 1) Is E-learning appropriate and adequate for EFL learners? 2) Do E-examinations give accurate image for English language learners’ progress? To achieve the aims of the study, a questionnaire was prepared and distributed to teachers in both colleges. Twenty English language professors and teachers participated in this study, (11) from Bilad Al-Rafidain University college and (9) from the Basic Education college. The responses were analyzed according to the Spearman -Brown equation which was used to find the correlation coefficient of the questionnaire as a whole.  The results showed that the majority of teachers agreed that E-learning cannot replace traditional face-to-face interaction classroom, but they don’t deny the importance of using technology in English language teaching. There’s a tendency towards blending the two methods to achieve better results in teaching English language and develop the language skills among the learners. Regarding E-examinations the results have revealed that the university teachers are not in favor  of E-examinations , they prefer paper- based examinations because they are more reliable and giving a more accurate image for English language learners’ progress.