THE PERCEPTIONS OF STUDENTS AND TEACHERS ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF AND BARRIERS TO TECHNOLOGY AIDED EFL

Abstract

In this study the viewpoints and feelings of EFL students and EFL teachers on the benefits of and barriers to technology aided English as a foreign language (TAEFL) were examined. This study was conducted at Salahaddin University - College of Languages - Department of English Language in Erbil, in the North of Iraq. The purpose of the study was to understand the attitudes of EFL students and teachers who use technology for educational purposes towards the use of technology in the process of English language learning and teaching. In addition, the study aimed to find out the participants EFL students and teachers frequency of technology use. Finally, the study examined the barriers that the EFL students and teachers encounter while using technology.

The questionnaires and interviews were administered in order to collect the data. The first questionnaire was administered to 130 EFL students at Salahaddin University - College of Languages - Department of English Language whose educational grades were first, second, third and fourth year students. The second questionnaire was administered to 50 EFL teachers at Salahaddin University - College of Languages - Department of English Language whose educational degrees were PhD, MA and MA student. Furthermore, in order to get more information, ten EFL students and ten EFL teachers were interviewed in this study.

The findings of this study indicated that in spite of having positive attitudes towards integration of technology in EFL, the participants of EFL students and teachers did not use technology in their English language too much. In addition, the use of technology is not too much due to several barriers. Deficiencies and constraints of technological instruments, financial supports, lack of time, lack of information about how to use various types of technological equipment and programs, and lack of effective training courses are the challenges that discourage and prevent the participants EFL students and teachers from utilizing and integrating technology into their English language learning and teaching process.

Key words: Technology Aided English As A Foreign Language (TAEFL). Attitudes towards TAEFL. Benefits of and Barriers to TAEFL. Frequency of Using Technology.