Students' Perceptions of Their Learning Spanish in an Online Class Setting Versus a Face-to-Face Class Setting

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to gain information about students' perceptions of their learning Spanish in an online class setting versus a face-to-face class setting. More significantly, the study aimed to examine the data from students' perceptions and feedback to provide further recommendations about creating online lessons that contain strategies that are more effective in sustaining student involvement in an online Spanish class. In this study, the researcher used a descriptive methodology through a survey with a conveniently selected sample of 72 students of fifth-grade elementary who were in their second year at the Spanish Passport Program at Baltimore County Public Schools, Maryland. The results indicate that relationships between students and teachers are among the most important things in students' motivation to learn Spanish. In addition, students preferred learning in person and the classroom over virtual learning, as analyzed statistically. Overall, the help of teachers to students was cited many times.