A study of barriers to online English learning among graduate students in a Thai university

This research investigated the barriers to online English learning faced by graduate students. A total of 34 graduate students at a public university in Thailand enrolled in remedial reading and writing courses were the participants, obtained by accidental sampling. The study used a mixed-methods design. The research instruments employed were a four-part questionnaire with closed-ended statements and semi-structured interviews. The quantitative data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation, while the qualitative data were transcribed and analyzed by content analysis. The findings revealed that the graduate students had a low level of agreement towards the barrier to online English learning regarding learners, instruction, and the use of technology. The three most problematic barriers were students’ feeling of isolation, lack of social interaction, and the lack of availability and accessibility of technology and the Internet.