Academic ESP Courses in a Hybrid Mode: Attitudes and Perceptions

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33919/esnbu.24.1.4

Keywords:

hybrid mode, academic ESP courses, ESP, ESP courses, hybrid ESP courses

Abstract

Developing academic ESP courses in a hybrid mode has come to the forefront of the educational agenda due to social and economic reasons: technological advance followed by the emergence of new communication, business and education technologies; new generations of learners who grow up in virtual reality rather than in real life; commercialisation of education; changes in workplaces and business organisations; a pandemic that resulted in increased use of the electronic and hybrid modes of interacting and working. In light of these circumstances, the research on the key actors in the educational process – learners and teachers – has gained importance and has become the reason to initiate a study of these actors’ attitudes and perceptions with regard to the academic ESP courses in a hybrid mode. The article presents and discusses the results from a survey conducted within this study and related to the preparation of reference criteria for course design in terms of parameters. Data analysis has implications for the educational sector in terms of language and subject course development, as well as of the introduction of relevant policies in higher education.

Author Biography

Albena Stefanova, University of National and World Economy

Albena Stefanova is a Senior Lecturer at the University of National and World Economy, Sofia, Bulgaria, and has a PhD in Methodology of Teaching Modern Languages. She has been teaching English to students of philosophy, policing, law, economics, and political studies for over twenty years. Her main interests are in ESP and translation.

References

Abed, E. (2019). Electronic Learning and its Benefits in Education. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 15(3), Article No: em1672. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/102668 DOI: https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/102668

Alberts, P., Murray, L. & Stephenson, J. (2010). Eight educational considerations for hybrid learning, In: Wang, F., Fong, J. & Kwan, R. (Eds.), Handbook of research on hybrid learning models: Advanced tools, technologies, and applications (pp. 185-202). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-60566-380-7.ch012 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-60566-380-7.ch012

Dziuban, C., Graham, C., Moskal, P., Norberg, A. & Sicilia, N. (2018). Blended learning: the new normal and emerging technologies, International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-017-0087-5 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-017-0087-5

Gatev, D. (2023). Повишаване на ефективността при усвояването на терминологичната лексика в обучението по английски език за специали-зирани цели от български студенти по икономика [Increasing the Efficiency of Terminological Vocabulary Acquisition in Teaching English for Specific Purposes by Bulgarian Students of Economics]. UNWE Publishing Complex.

Grimes, G. T., Whitmyer, C. (2009). E-Education: What is it? FutureU Press.

Ishlaiwa, F. (2006). Factors influencing faculty participation in e-learning: The case of Jordan [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. University of Washington.

Kumar, R., Kush, A. (2006). E-Learning Emergence. DESIDOC Bulletin of Information Technology, 26(2), 19-24. DOI: https://doi.org/10.14429/dbit.26.2.3676

Lee, K. T., Duncan-Howell, J. (2007). How Do We Know E-Learning Works? Or Does it? E-Learning and Digital Media, 4(4).https://doi.org/10.2304/elea.2007.4.4.482 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2304/elea.2007.4.4.482

Meskill, C., Anthony, N. & Sadykova, G. (2020). Teaching languages online: Professional vision in the making. Language Learning & Technology, 24(3), 160-175.

Singh, J., Steele, K. & Singh, L. (2021). Combining the Best of Online and Face-to-Face Learning: Hybrid and Blended Learning Approach for COVID-19, Post Vaccine, & Post-Pandemic World. Journal of Educational Technology Systems, 50(2),140-171. https://doi.org/10.1177/00472395211047865 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/00472395211047865

Snart, J. (2010). Hybrid learning: The Perils and Promise of Blending Online and Face-to-Face Instruction in Higher Education. Praeger. https://doi.org/10.5040/9798400667701 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5040/9798400667701

Stanley, G. (2013). Language Learning with Technology: Ideas for Integrating Technology in the Classroom. Cambridge University Press.

Stefanova, A. (2021). Studying the ESP needs of students of economics and socio-political studies. The Journal of Teaching English for Specific and Academic Purposes, 9(4), 627-642 https://doi.org/10.22190/JTESAP2104627S DOI: https://doi.org/10.22190/JTESAP2104627S

Todorova-Ruskova, L. (2023). E-Portfolio-Based Formative Assessment Model in an English for Specific Purposes Context. [Unpublished Doctoral dissertation]. New Bulgarian University.

Watson, J. (2008). Blended Learning: Convergence between Online and Face-to-Face Education. North American Council for Online Learning.

Downloads

Published

2024-06-22

How to Cite

Stefanova, A. (2024). Academic ESP Courses in a Hybrid Mode: Attitudes and Perceptions. English Studies at NBU, 10(1), 59–72. https://doi.org/10.33919/esnbu.24.1.4

Issue

Section

Articles