FROM CLICKS TO CLASSROOM: EVALUATING ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNING (ELL) WEBSITES

Abstract

English Language Learning (ELL) websites are powerful tools to support teaching and learning. Despite the abundance of websites available, some websites were reported as problematic due to certain factors. Exploring this issue from the perspectives of Malaysian primary school teachers accentuates the potential and suitability of ELL websites for use as supplementary resources. Thus, this mixed-method exploratory study involving 375 primary school teachers aims at exploring their perception on ELL websites. Besides, 5 of them were interviewed to gather the data on the appropriateness of ELL websites specifically concerning the features, problems and challenges. The overall findings indicate the potential and appropriateness of ELL websites for use in the Malaysian context with certain concern on language level, content and internet connection. This study sheds light on the potential of websites as viable learning tools to support the development of learners’ language. The curriculum developer will be informed about the potential and problems of ELL websites available which will be useful to develop online resources for Malaysian primary school students which will definitely assists the Ministry of Education in ensuring quality education for all. Other than that, it informs the researchers on the importance of evaluating the available ELL websites in order to determine the appropriateness of those websites in selected context.