Abstract:

Nationwide lockdowns disrupted higher learning institutions and forced educators across the globe to use online digital tools for online teaching. In view of this current phenomenon and in a country with poor internet connection, this paper reports a study that explored (1) the top three digital tools used for teaching English at a Malaysian university and (2) how university English teachers used digital tools for teaching English online. A total of 19 university English teachers volunteered to participate in an online questionnaire survey. Data were analysed through cross-tabulation analysis using frequency count and percentage distribution and short open-ended responses were coded for themes. Findings indicate that the top three digital tools preferred by teachers are online web meeting platforms for synchronous language lessons, learning management systems (LMS) for task-based language learning and cross-platform instant messaging applications for interactions and class discussions. Teachers preferred three tools for teaching English online and found those tools to be adequate for teaching English to students with poor internet connection. It is recommended that ESL teachers teaching in countries with poor internet connection use these three digital tools for teaching English online.

Keywords:

Digital tools, university, English teachers, online teaching, poor internet connection.