A spanish university case study: user’s perception of blended methodology used for english foreign language learning

Abstract

Blended learning at universities has emerged as a solution to address the need of fostering students’ independent and life-long learning as well as foreign language acquisition. The methodology combines on-campus and on-line tuition. Existing literature has largely discussed the advantages and disadvantages about blended learning, e-learning communication tools (synchronous and asynchronous), and language learning aided by computers. However, more research is still necessary to notice how students and teachers perceive this methodology in foreign language learning. In this line, the Master’s Degree in Bilingual Education at Nebrija University (Spain), which is wholly run through blended learning, has as a main aim to raise students’ level of English from a B2 to a C1. During its first year of implementation, a research was carried out to analyze the participants’ opinion on the benefits of the blended-learning tools used for English learning; detect possible deficiencies; and to provide recommendations for future foreign language teaching and learning.