Challenges in online English language learning: a study of an English medium instruction school in Thailand

The challenges in online English learning in a Thai secondary school context are the focus of the study where English is used as a medium language for instruction by adapting Hijazi and AlNatour’s (2021) and Sukman and Mhunkongdee’s (2021) frameworks to explore the challenges in online English learning perceived by students and students’ challenges perceived by teachers in a secondary school in Samut Sakhon province. The participants in this study were 77 Thai students and 20 teachers including 10 Thais, eight Filipinos, one Canadian, and one Australian. The adapted questionnaires were completed by the participants. Afterwards, the data gained from the questionnaires were analysed using SPSS statistics. The results showed that the biggest challenge in online English learning for both groups of the participants was social aspects. Motivation and willingness came up as the second biggest challenges among the groups. However, the third challenge for students was teaching methods, whereas the third challenge perceived by teachers was online English learning. The findings of this study may be useful for future planning for schools, teachers, students, and other stakeholders. Recommendations and implications of the findings are also provided.