Effect of Online Learning on ESL Learning Styles and Learning Outcomes in Context of Pakistan

Abstract

The situation of COVID-19 has bred major conversion in education system compelling teachers and students to adapt to online learning. This study aims to investigate effect of online learning on learning styles and learning outcomes for ESL in context of Pakistan. Quantitative methodology was used and the participants were selected through random sampling. The data was collected by using an online Likert scale questionnaire. Statistical analysis of collected data reported that auditory learning style was most preferred by the students followed by the tactile, visual and kinesthetic respectively. The findings revealed that students were more inclined to learn better in physical classroom as compared to online classroom in their opinion. The findings reported that online learning neither completely failed nor completely succeeded to facilitate students because ½ % of the participants asserted that the online environment matched their learning styles and, similarly, ½ /half of the participants disagreed. The students were able to tailor their learning styles according to contextual demands but it decreased their language learning outcomes. It is interpreted from the results that online learning in context of Pakistan needs to improve and the teachers and course designers should consider individual preferences to enhance online learning of English.