Teachers' Perspectives on the Quality of Online TEFL Courses in the Wake of COVID-19: Promoting knowledge sharing

Purpose:  The  present  study  sought  to  evaluate  the  quality  of  virtual  education  in teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) courses at the wake of COVID-19. In addition, ways to knowledge sharing in the courses was investigated. 

Methods: The statistical population of the quantitative section consisted of 95 TEFL professors  and  the  qualitative  section  consisted  of  13  TEFL  professors  in  the  first semester of the 2020-21 academic year. Data collection was carried out in two phases. First, in the quantitative section, the e-learning quality assessment questionnaire was given  to  the  participants.  In  the  qualitative  phase,  semi-structured  interviews  were conducted. Quantitative data analysis was performed using one-group t-test using SPSS software. 

Findings: Based on the findings, the professors reported that the quality of e-learning was at acceptable level. The results of qualitative findings also showed that strategies to  improve  student  participation  in  distance  education  are  educational  strategies, communication strategies, strategies to strengthen cooperation between students. 

Conclusion:  Since  learning  and  teaching  different  types  of  interaction  in  virtual learning systems is of particular importance, special attention should also be given to promoting  the  level  of  interaction  with  students,  increasing  cooperation  between students, choosing the appropriate method to engage students in the course.