STUDENTS’ PERCEPTION ON BLENDED LEARNING ENVIRONMENT TO LEARN ENGLISH: A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF ESL LEARNERS

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate Pakistani university students' perceptions of the advantages and challenges they experienced while learning English in a blended learning environment. This qualitative research was conducted at the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus. Data was collected from 20 students, including 6 males and 14 females, using a purposive (non-random) sampling technique. To gain in-depth insights, semi-structured interviews were conducted via phone calls. The interviews were transcribed using Microsoft Word, and thematic patterns were visualized through various tools such as word tag clouds, tree maps, and cluster maps, based on frequency and recurrence of key themes. The findings indicate that while most students held positive attitudes toward the blended learning system, they also encountered several barriers, including internet connectivity issues, weak signals, power outages, and lack of technical training. The study recommends that the government work toward improving internet infrastructure and resolving electricity problems, while universities should offer training sessions and workshops to enhance students’ and teachers’ proficiency in using educational technologies.