Oral Presentation:
Investigating the Experiences of International Students, Staff, and Faculty in a Language Support Program During COVID-19
ABSTRACT: This presentation examines international students, staff, and faculty’s online experiences in a language support program during COVID-19. The data sources included interviews with students, staff, faculty, newsletters, and zoom meeting observations. An opening coding and thematic analysis approach were utilized to analyze the data. Results showed that students experienced increased workload and unanticipated difficulties, lack of social connection, and feelings of loneliness during their virtual learning. Researchers found students’ challenges when adapting to a new model of learning were: Low language proficiency; Bad internet connection; Instructors’ unfamiliarity with online teaching; Difficulty in collaborating with peers; Missed opportunities of accessing resources.
PRESENTATION: